In defense of change
This refers to “The Ben Franklin Dance” (Rules of Engagement, July 2007). I read Chief Alan Brunacini’s column several times before writing this response, as I have deep respect for the Brunacini family’s contributions to the fire service.
The historical mission of the fire service is fixed by need and circumstances. To place blame on Franklin is unfair to his reputation as a thinker and planner for early United States development. The second paragraph about those brave souls’ inability to change the fire service’s thinking strikes a bad note with me. We need to always be supportive of individuals who initiate change in the interest of safety for our firefighters. Articles should never support the “that’s the way it has always been” mindset or give those too lazy or ignorant to learn a 263-year-old excuse. Keep those educational articles coming. We can and must change our way of thinking.
David Wilson
Fire Inspector
Nutley, New Jersey
Alan Brunacini responds: Thanks to David Wilson for reading Rules of Engagement and for taking the time to send along his thoughts. My comments were in no way meant to harm Ben Franklin’s reputation as a thinker and planner. I think he is pretty well established in history, and I have always admired both his thinking and planning. I used him more in a symbolic way as a well-known person who was connected to the beginning of our service. As Wilson said very well, our mission was fixed by need and circumstance; that is exactly why I said those early firefighters began the very durable tradition of responding actively and directly engaging the fire.
I believe the end of the paragraph Wilson mentions is absolutely accurate: That attack tradition is still being acted out today, and I also believe that is the highest and finest tradition of our service as long as that culturally directed behavior is managed within a sensible risk-management plan. When that does not occur, it produces preventable firefighter injuries and deaths that are simply stupid. I don’t think Ben Franklin would disagree with that statement, given his thinking and planning capability.
Thanks to Wilson for his defense of change agents. I only meant that it is exhausting to try to change something that has been around for a long, long time. I sincerely appreciate the comments.
The impact of forced retirement
“Coping with the Challenges of Forced Retirement” by Paul Antonellis (August 2007) is uncomfortably accurate.
Although it is written from the standpoint of the forced retirement of a career firefighter, it applies also to volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. Many volunteers consider their full-time job as a way to support themselves and their families as they pursue their true interest. They have the experiences described in the article if they are forced into retirement or to assume a less-active role in emergency services because of medical conditions that are not work related.
It is unfortunate that so many administrators, pension fund managers, and workers’ compensation insurance boards consider their budget-line items, fund balances, and low-loss ratios to be more important assets than the trained, dedicated people who serve and protect the public.
Perhaps the financial retirement planning we are supposed to do to prepare ourselves for the future should be expanded early in our careers to include the development of interests and skills that can keep us active in the emergency services beyond the time when we no longer are able to respond to incidents. Although there will still be physical and emotional impacts when the time comes to make the transition, they would be at a lower level-such as when there is a change from firefighter to line officer or from line officer to chief officer-instead of the one involving the change from active firefighter to retired firefighter with a menial part-time job at low pay to supplement an inadequate pension or disability payment.
My compliments to the author on a well-written article on an important topic.
Gregory Havel
Deputy Chief (Ret.)
Burlington (WI) Fire Department
Adjunct Instructor Gateway Technical College
Safety Director Scherrer Construction Co., Inc.
Appreciative of the recognition
Ireceived many phone calls and letters from folks I do not know who read Editor in Chief Bobby Halton’s “The Fire Service’s Most Powerful Tool” (Editor’s Opinion, July 2007). I consider it an honor that I was mentioned in the article, and being introduced at the opening ceremony at FDIC was more than I deserved. I am very humbled to have the recognition I have been given.
When I was coming off the mountain with Evan (Halton’s injured son) and we loaded him in the ambulance, it bothered me that I may never know how he was recovering. I am so happy to hear that he is recovering well. He was such a tough kid on the mountain. His dad would have been very proud of him.
Ward Parker
Firefighter
Eden Prairie, Minnesota
In honor of the “Charleston Nine”
This weekend (at press time), I will be attending a “thank you” picnic for those who helped with the memorial/funeral and station fill-in for the nine firefighters who perished in the Charleston, South Carolina, furniture warehouse fire. The weekend will be emotional and healing. Editor in Chief Bobby Halton’s comments (“The Morning After,” Editor’s Opinion, August 2007) couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. The editorial will be mandatory reading for every member of my department and for all of my family members. Thanks to him for putting to paper what I couldn’t begin to explain to my firefighters or my family. It hurts to read it; I had to stop several times, but I will be better for it-a better chief, a better dad, and a better brother.
Mike Sonefeld
Irmo Fire District
Columbia, South Carolina
The Editor’s Opinion in the August issue was very well written and hit me right where it counts. I’m not sure how many people I work with actually “get it.” Thanks to Fire Engineering for bringing the firefighter back to the editor in chief position.
Rob Barker
Chief of Training
Warsaw (IN) Fire Department
The Editor’s Opinion in the August issue was powerful and touched a nerve. Good job.
Frank Montagna
Battalion Chief
Fire Department of New York
