I become really tired with my job at times. You’ve probably had the experience where you wake up one morning and your brain hurts from the thought of another day at work.

Even though I may whine from time to time and have days when all I want to do is lie in bed and watch TV, I never have to worry about my job putting me in danger.

There’s a lot to be said for that, even if it isn’t something most of us think about every day. Indeed, it’s easy to overlook that there are professions that are not only mentally hard, but also actively dangerous to those who work in them.

Being a fireman is one of these.

Firefighters are often underappreciated for their bravery in simply showing up for their shifts. However, a recent photo has raised awareness about the extreme conditions they are sometimes expected to operate in.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a firefighter if my NBA career didn’t take off, but now I’m content to have others do it in my place.

Call me cowardly, but there are few things I would rather avoid than running headfirst into a burning building.

Fortunately for society, not everyone has the same perspective as I do. There are heroic folks who often risk their lives to save others and limit casualties when fires break out or major tragedies happen.

And we’re not only talking about pulling people out of burning automobiles or entering blazing apartment buildings – both of which are heroic acts – but also when firefighters are charged with combating one of nature’s most horrific, destructive forces: wildfires.

If you live in a country prone to wildfires, you’re probably well aware of the devastation they may cause. Of course, they don’t just cease burning on their own; if left to wreak havoc, they will kill almost anything in their path.

That’s where firefighters come in. Instead of fleeing the afflicted areas, as everyone else is instructed to do, they charge in and do everything they can to stop the fires from spreading, saving numerous lives in the process.

A few years ago, a wildfire raged in Portugal, requiring the talents of 1,150 firefighters to limit its progress.

The apocalyptic image was terrifying to witness, but it did result in a wonderful photograph that demonstrated the incredible work firefighters undertake to keep people safe.

According to reports, a man named Pedro Brás uploaded the image with the caption: “After a night and a day fighting the Góis Forest Fire we were entitled to 25 minutes of river beach, although it was covered by smoke.”

The image in question depicted a number of firefighters sleeping on the grass, so exhausted that they had very nearly dropped where they stood to rest.

According to Pedro, after working the inferno uninterrupted for 24 hours, the firemen took a 25-minute rest.

I’m not sure about you, but I believe that firefighters everywhere deserve greater recognition and honor for their work.