I fully support the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, especially the County’s Swift Water Rescue Teams, the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association, and all of the dedicated rescue personnel who respond whenever someone is in danger.

The recent controversy surrounding an emergency response in Potomac has unfortunately placed public safety personnel in the middle of a political debate. My position is simple: When someone needs help, politics does not matter. Period.

Our firefighters and rescue personnel answer every call with professionalism, compassion, and courage... regardless of a person’s beliefs, background or circumstances. Their responsibility is to protect life, and they carry out that responsibility under difficult and often dangerous conditions.

Having witnessed and assisted with many on-water Potomac River rescues and searches for decades in my kayak, I know how quickly conditions on the river can become life-threatening. Strong currents, changing water levels, cold temperatures, limited visibility, and difficult access can turn a rescue into an extremely dangerous operation within moments. I also know personally how dangerous this section of the Potomac River is... having witnessed many life-threatening situations.

Successful river rescues require extensive training, sound judgment, specialized equipment, and cooperation among multiple public safety agencies. Those responding must make rapid decisions while protecting the person in danger, their fellow rescuers and everyone else at the scene. The professionals who perform this work deserve our gratitude and support, not criticism for answering a call for help.

I am truly proud of Montgomery County’s firefighters, swift water rescue teams, volunteer fire and rescue personnel, and other first responders. Their commitment to helping people reflects the very best of public service.

When someone is in danger, our first responders act. They put safety first, and our community should stand behind them.