It’s one thing to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to serve your community. It’s quite another to do it on a volunteer basis, for little or nothing in return.

Members of Maplesville Fire and Rescue were honored this week for their commitment to serve by responding to emergency calls for the people of Maplesville and surrounding areas.

“We do it just to honor our members. They do a lot for the community, and it never really gets rewarded,” Maplesville Fire Chief Michael Abbott said.

Aubrey Latham was presented with an Ice Top acrylic award for more than 20 years of service. Christine Epperson, Chase Anderson and Melvin Morrow received Ice Top acrylic awards for responding to the most calls in 2009.

Epperson, Abbott, Nancy Seales, Melvin Morrow, Michael Morrow and Queen Morrow each received Ice Top acrylic awards for more than 10 years of service with the department.

Others were presented with service pins. These included the following: Chase Anderson (three years), Justin Little (three years), Kelvin Hatcher (three years) and Michael Drewry (four years).

The awards were presented by Assistant Chief JaMelv Morrow.

“We thank our volunteers for giving up time with their families to serve the community,” Abbott said.

Maplesville Fire and Rescue comprises nearly 20 volunteers.