Letters to the Editor
Sirens
Jacksonville, Fla.:
I am writing in reference to the article in your February issue “How Sirens Vary as Attention Getters.” That article was well written and brings attention to a very important aspect of every emergency vehicle.
The author points out the economies of certain types of sirens. However, the biggest point of neglect on most emergency vehicles is their siren and lighting systems. Every fulltime fire truck or ambulance is an expensive piece of equipment. Any accident is costly on equipment and more importantly on human life. Therefore, more thought should be given to spending money on getting to the scene safely.
It is our opinion that all fulltime emergency vehicles should have an electronic siren of at least 58 watts and a mechanical siren of at least 5 as a backup unit. You very rarely see an emergency vehicle with only one warning light today. It should make sense that a second siren is not out of order.
The average fire apparatus today costs about $30,000 or more, yet less than 2 percent of that cost is spent on warning devices in many cases. Large apparatus such as fire trucks need more emergency lighting and sound warning devices than most vehicles because of their size and difficulty in maneuvering. In addition, fire apparatus and ambulances use their sirens far more often than police vehicles. Therefore, the extra margin of safety is extremely important.
I enjoy reading your magazine and compliment you on its quality.
Steven E. Berman
President
SEB Sirens & Emergency Beacons, Inc.
Women Fire Fighters
Tucson, Ariz.:
I am writing in answer to Ex-Chief John P. Townley’s article concerning women fire fighters. Chief Townley’s main point is that a good man can do the job better than a woman. He questions the quality of work women fire fighters are able to do accomplish. It is obvious Chief Townley does not understand the society in which he lives, physical differences and similarities of the sexes.
In the first place, the only point in his argument that might have any veracity is his statement about trained fire fighters in need of work.
When a fire company hires its personnel they must choose individuals who are able to perform the duty to the standards set by that department. If a woman can meet those standards, to exclude her because of her sex is a crime.
As far as a woman’s monthly cycle is concerned, I ask Chief Townley if he has ever looked at the monthly cycle of a man. No one can escape the biological cycle of life. Some women do have real problems with monthly cycles. However, there are just as many who do not have.
In an article in a magazine, Chief Randall Staley pointed out how a bio-rhythm chart can show the changes in a man’s emotional, physical and mental cycles. This type of charting can be applied to women also.
Continued on page 30
(continued from page 20)
We have four women on our department roster. They all meet and in some areas surpass the standards set by this department. One of our women fire fighters is currently on a leave of absence due to pregnancy. If she chooses to return to active duty after the birth of her baby, she will be required to pass all standards set by this department beforehand.
As for the statement, “If another one like her comes along, I’d be happy to have her,” you’d better believe it. Rebecca Holder was such a woman. She could work circles around most any man. She had strength, intelligence and dedication. Rebecca was a victim of an auto accident which took her life in October 1976.
As for our male ego, it is about time it was deflated. Most are built on false beliefs in the first place.
As battalion chief of this department I am mare concerned with our personnel’s ability to think of ways of solving problems and making use of the equipment furnished him/her rather than brute strength.
As for women on volunteer fire departments, manpower shortage may be one reason that must be considered in some departments, but fortunately not ours. We are a suburban department next to a large city with 50 volunteers and eight pieces of equipment. Our department is interested in personnel who are well-trained and able to do the job effectively regardless of sex. I believe a department must look at its personnel’s physical condition and the age of its fire fighters before their sex.
In 10 years after evaluating the number of women increasing in the fire service, I believe Chief Townley will be eating his words.
William J. Cummings
Battalion Chief
Flowing Wells Volunteer Fire Department
