In smaller cities, it's not uncommon for the IATSE local -- that's the stagehands' union -- to have members who are police officers and firefighters. This makes sense; those folks typically work four days on and three days off, so they have time to work show calls.

Several of the firefighters who died in the building fire in Charleston, SC last week were members of the local and were known to participants in the Spoleto Festival.

Even though I never met any of them, somehow it seems more personal now....

I agree Jeff. It hits me more too. I wish their families good luck and condolences from a far.