Letters to the Editor
DEPARTMENTS
Firefighter safety must be stressed in all departments
I’m writing with regard to Joe Schumacher’s article, “Training Fires: Lessons vs. Risks,” that appeared in your May issue. Although I strongly agree with the article’s recommendations, there’s one statement which I feel needs further discussion.
On page 40, the author wrote:
“Even the most experienced firefighters in the nation’s largest cities know the inherent dangers of every fire, no matter how routine the fire call seems. These firefighters have ‘seen it all,’ but they still respect every unfriendly fire as a potentially deadly encounter.”
I understand what Mr. Schumacher was trying to say, but the statement read as though large city firefighters don’t need to read the article because they already respect unfriendly fire.
In nearly every fire service publication, there are action photographs of firefighters who show a disregard of safety (even in the most basic area of turnout gear). Often there are articles about an incident in Anytown or Anycity, U.S.A. where safety precautions were partially or completely ignored. Seeing and reading about these “professionals” with their boots down or their masks off makes for good action photos and great reading, but it also perpetuates the “untouchable” image that many firefighters have of themselves. The complacent attitude depicted in such pictures is what gets firefighters injured, maimed, or killed.
There’s been plenty written on the subject of firefighter safety. Those who don’t follow safety guidelines apparently just don’t care.
It’s time to stop talking about safety, while at the same time burying our brother and sister firefighters unnecessarily. Let’s do something about it and make an already dangerous job a little safer.
Jon B. Holcombe
Driver/Firefighter Hamilton Tmvnship
Fire District No. 2 Mercerville, N.J.
Team efforts work best during pipeline emergencies
I want to personally congratulate you, your staff, and especially Firefighter Edward G. Fleming of the Orange Co. (Calif.) Fire Department for the excellent article, “Dams as Defense,” which appeared in April’s issue.
There are more than 200,000 miles of hazardous liquid pipeline throughout our country, and this article will certainly be helpful when another fire department experiences a similar situation. The incident described in the article proves that emergency responders, enforcement agencies, and a pipeline operator can work together as a team.
1 sincerely hope that your magazine continues to publish such factual and educational reports.
Chief James F. McMullen California State Fire Marshal
Solutions instead of complaints
Thank you for giving me the chance to share the story of the chlorine leak that we experienced last September. (“Out From Under A Cloud” appeared in the February issue.)
My experience with Fire Engineering was exactly what I thought it would be. Your magazine has always been, for me, the class of fire service publications. It’s been my experience as a reader that other magazines will complain about a problem and tell you how hard it will be to get funds, but Fire Engineering tells you how to solve the problem.
Gary Ryan Firefighter
Morristown (Tenn.) Fire Department
We enjoy hearing from our readers. In addition to sending comments, you’re welcome to send questions that come up as you read articles here; we’ll be happy to forward them to our authors. Whether you have questions or comments, write to Fire Engineering, 250 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10001.
