When a blizzard is coming, forcing schools and businesses to close, many people head to the warmth of their homes.

Others stay on the job in case of any emergencies arising during such storms or to take care of those in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities and other places.

Our blizzard this week was no exception.

While many of us headed for our homes where we would spend the next 24 or 48 hours watching TV, eating, sleeping or, for some, working remotely until the storm would let up so we could venture outdoors again.

Throughout these blizzards, essential workers remain on the job whether it’s medical staff and support staff at hospitals, nursing homes or assisted living facilities in Minot and the region, firefighters, police and other law enforcement officers and ambulance staff, snow removal crews, essential military personnel, along with others. Often they remain at their job sites for many hours until the storm is over.

Some of them have to respond to calls and go out into a storm to help others, putting their own lives at risk.

Jill Schramm, associate editor at The Minot Daily News, reported in a story published Friday that Minot police had 94 calls in 36 hours and the ambulance made a number of runs. Trinity Health picked up staff and brought them in to replace staff who had been working.

There’s many others who have jobs requiring them to be out in storms or remain on their jobs for hours or days longer than normally required.

We appreciate all of them for what they do to care for others and keep them safe.