We want to thank and recognize the people who served our area in the days leading up to Hurricane Michael, during the hurricane and afterwards.

Our first responders, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency personnel, shelter volunteers and public utility workers — we’re blessed to have well-trained professionals keeping us safe.

The key to responding to any emergency is planning and preparation. Tift County has faced some rough weather in the last couple of years. Each time, the response has been commendable.

While most of us hunker down and try to stay safe in our homes, essential personnel are out in the rain and wind and sometimes even in harm’s way.

While no one agency can take the credit for the efficient, prepared response, they all deserve recognition.

Law enforcement — Tift County Sheriff’s Department, Tifton Police Department, Georgia State Patrol — worked through the night.

Firefighters with Tifton Fire Department and Tift County Fire/Rescue did as well, on alert to help people affected by the storm.

Emergency medical personnel, nurses and doctors stood ready to attend to any sick or injured.

We also need to recognize the Tift County Emergency Management Agency.

The TCEMA worked tirelessly through the storm, putting out multiple updates on the hurricane and its effects on our area.

Georgia Power and Colquitt EMC always prepare, stage crews and respond to outages even while the storms rage, and afterwards crews deal with uprooted trees and downed power lines.

We thank the professionals who make up these agencies for their service.