Police, firefighters and paramedics are easily recognized and get much deserved credit for the work they do; but this week Knoxville and other cities across the country are paying tribute to another type of first responder which helps hold a town together.

This is National Public Works Week, and the Knoxville City Council paid tribute to the employees from this department with a proclamation thanking them for the work they do all year long from routine maintenance to emergency repairs.

Knoxville City Manager Aaron Adams tells KNIA/KRLS News the public works department often gets overlooked; but their work is essential to maintaining a town’s infrastructure all year long.

“We’re just so used to having streets that we can drive, water and sewer that works; so I do think it’s easy to overlook these elements that I think are just foundational to modern society,” Adams says.

“Without streets and the commerce that they provide, the sanitation that comes with operating sewers, running water that’s safe for us, those are really the bedrock of our culture and civilization.”

With only about a dozen employees on staff, the Public Works Department is expected to make essential repairs to broken water mains, replace signs and traffic lights, and keep the roads clear of snow in the winter.

Adams says they also provide crucial support to fire and police personnel in the aftermath of a major emergency; the tornado which touched down by Walmart in 2015 is an example, as they helped clear streets for rescuers and restore services as soon as possible for the public.