Last Friday morning’s double fatality of Goldsby first responders is a terrible reminder that what these men and women do every day and night is dangerous work.

It’s work they freely accept and go all-in for as they endeavor to help keep the public as safe and healthy as they possibly can.

Firefighters like heros Bryan Jenkins and Todd Pendleton of the Goldsby Volunteer Fire Department were underway to a structure fire with full intentions of doing whatever it took to put out the blaze.

It’s something they had done for a combined 47 years.

It was just after 3 a.m., when the majority of us were in our bedrooms, when the accident happened.

They answered the call and were 100 percent in to fight the fire.

Firefighters go into burning buildings.

Police run toward gunfire, not away from it.

EMT’s see and work with tragedy on a weekly, if not daily basis.

It’s what they do.

But that’s not to say it’s easy. It’s not.

And many times, it’s also very dangerous.

If you haven’t thanked a first responder lately then do so now.

There is sorrow now, not only for the entire town of Goldsby, but also the entire counties of McClain and Cleveland and in Norman where Bryan managed the Cleveland County Fairgrounds.

The sorrow doesn’t stop there, touching The Oklahoman where Pendleton was art director, serving in that capacity since 2004.

He worked in both the editorial and news departments and served as an adjunct professor, teaching a journalism course at OU – where he also earned his degree as an undergraduate.

These two brave men were sons, husbands, brothers, fathers and grandfathers.

Our hearts and prayers go out to all of their families, friends and work colleagues.

No words are worthy of this sadness.

Thanks to their valiant efforts and thank you to all our first responders.

May God’s speed be with you.