The words of Knox County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Tim Carroll in a Portland Press Herald article "Union crash victim had launched second career" have stuck with me this past week and will not let go.

Deputy Carroll spoke about having to notify families when their loved ones have died tragically: "I don't know if I ever do it right. I ask myself after each one if I could have done it differently."

In less than 12 weeks, our Knox County first responders have answered calls involving six fatalities on our roads, in addition to the non-fatal accidents and countless incidents and deaths involving house fires, drug overdoses, and domestic abuse that we don't hear about in the news.

Our local county sheriffs, fire, and ambulance work hard to prevent tragedies, and when there is one, they're the first people there and the last to leave. And the work doesn't end at the scene.

First responders, as front-line caregivers, put themselves in danger every day not just physically, but emotionally, as well. They've chosen to accept the burden of the stress, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger and self-doubt that go hand-in-hand with the already-demanding physical tasks of their jobs.

Many will suffer from compassion fatigue – secondary PTSD that affects caregivers who regularly interact with other people's trauma. It takes time, hard work, and a lot of self-care just to deal with one traumatic experience. And these courageous women and men get up every single day, go to work, and pile more on top.

It's not enough to just say thank you. They need to know that, as a community, we'll share that burden. First responders like Deputy Carroll need to know that when he has to make a long walk up to a family member's front door, we're all standing there behind him.

That's why I'd like to ask you to contact your local first responders and tell them you support them and that you're here for them. Give them a call, write an email, or bring some cookies on a busy weekend. It means more than you know.

And for goodness' sake, please slow down on the roads and get off your cell phone. Every time each of us chooses to take more care on the road, it's one less potential walk a first responder will have to make to deliver unthinkable news.

Liz Smith lives in Camden