The other day, there was an auto accident down the way from our home. It is an unusual intersection, with blind spots for drivers turning up the hill.

For some reason, a red Prius and a black Volvo came together. Thankfully, no one suffered severe injuries.

Neighbors called 911. Within a few moments, the law arrived as did an ambulance. Firefighters came, too, for they are tasked with rescuing us when we get into a jam.

We ask the police and sheriff’s deputies to keep order and investigate crimes and crashes. We expect ambulance crews and paramedics to rush to accidents, provide first aid, comfort us and give us a ride to the hospital if needed.

We allocate tax dollars to pay for these services. It is money well spent. In major cities, firefighters are highly skilled professionals. Many work 24 hours on duty and then have 48 hours off. It is not unusual for them to be called out four, six, or more times a shift.

These professionals frequently are faced with tragedy, sometimes death. Sometimes, like on 9/11 in New York City, they find themselves in the middle of a disaster. As professionals, they are represented by unions, powerful unions that represent them at the bargaining table where city leaders agree to provide them with salaries, benefits and retirement pensions.

But our local firefighters are volunteers. They could face death every time they are called out. We provide equipment and pay them a pittance for volunteering. They donate their time and skills to help us all.

So, the other day, when two motorists found out why our cars have seat belts and airbags, our volunteer firefighters left their jobs and ran out to their vehicles, struggled into their turnout gear and drove to the scene of the crash. This time, thankfully, they didn’t have to pry the drivers out of their vehicles.

It is not always that easy. Our photo files are filled with shots of mangled cars that required our friends and neighbors to pry the drivers and passengers out of the wreckage.

It is not always tragic. One of my walking pals told a story about the time when he was woken up in the middle of the night as the fire trucks screamed to a nearby building.

They rushed into the structure only to find the occupant, who was watching the place for a friend who was away, had called for help when the smoke detectors started to beep. I am sure the volunteer firefighters instructed him that the smoke detectors were trying to tell him it was time to change the batteries.

I am sure the fire crews didn’t bother to mention that they got out of warm beds and rushed out into the cold to provide him with that advice. But they did.

And, I am sure the fire crews were relieved to find that the place was not on fire.

A year ago, a microburst storm slammed into our community with winds that neared 100 miles per hour. Although it lasted just over half an hour, it blew down huge trees and knocked out our electrical power for a couple of days.

As we marveled at the damage, the volunteer firefighters showed up and began to clear roads, assisting the public works crews.

On July 11, 2008, a Saturday morning, our friends at Washburn & Doughty shipyard in East Boothbay saw their old boat shed go up in flames. Volunteers from surrounding communities arrived to help our local volunteers. While they had little chance of putting down the blaze, they were able to save the nearby woods and homes.

Again, it was a volunteer effort.

Last week, in Farmington, a worker at a social service facility smelled a strange odor. He called emergency services and helped the occupants to leave the building. When firefighters arrived to investigate, there was a massive gas explosion. One firefighter, Capt. Michael Bell, 68, a longtime member of the department, was killed, while six others, including Bell’s father, the fire chief, were injured. Their website says the chief is the only full-time firefighter.

Our community is lucky to have many volunteers and volunteer organizations. They are the glue that holds us together.

For decades, we have been blessed to have volunteer firefighters, friends and neighbors who give up their time to attend training sessions, and maintain their gear and equipment, so that they can be ready to bail us out a jam.

They deserve our thanks. We can thank them by getting out of the way when they are rushing to the scene of an incident. Whether it is a big red truck, an ambulance with flashing lights, or a volunteer’s pickup, pulling over to let them pass is always a good idea.

Bless them all.