The only time the general public really gets a feel for what firefighters do on day-in and day-out basis is when a huge fire erupts.

That was the case with the Bradley on the Bay blaze on Wednesday, and it was the case when the legendary Hooper’s fire took place over a decade ago as well as when the Dough Roller building was destroyed downtown in recent years and when the Alaska Stand and Crab Alley buildings on 9th Street were engulfed in flames in 1994.

The firefighters on the scene of the Bradley on the Bay fire on Wednesday deserve special recognition. Each and every one who was involved and those who were behind the scenes covering the firehouses from other areas in case another fire broke out elsewhere are heroes.

Courage is measured in different ways for different people, but we can all agree fighting a burning fire deserves an appreciation. We don’t take that mettle  for granted.

What the firefighters found upon arriving on the scene Wednesday was a destructive fire that immediately led supervisors to take “an exterior operations fire attack” approach. The sole goal at that point was to go on the defensive and keep it from spreading to other nearby buildings, as it was too late to try and enter the units for further investigation.

It’s not just about the raging fire being extinguished within a couple hours and monitored for hours afterwards. The success of the operation lies in containing it to largely the one building and further preventing massive destruction and thousands of dollars more in property damage. We don’t take that successful effort for granted.

Fortunately, there were no major injuries reported in this week’s blaze, but there are six families who reportedly lost everything in the fire, and they need the community’s help to get back on their feet.

Information on donating to them can be found at www.facebook.com/BradleyOnTheBayCondoFireReliefFund or go to your local Bank of Ocean City branch where a donation account has been set up.

We all need to do our part to help these families if possible. At the same time, if you see local firefighters around, be sure to show them some appreciation. We don’t take them for granted.