During recent months Fire Engineering has paid a great deal of attention to ongoing problems at the U.S. Fire Administration, especially the National Fire Academy, brought on by apparent indifference at FEMA.
Samuel V. Yardumian
Chief Engineer
Bryn Athyn (PA) Fire Company
I have attended six-day classes at the Academy in Emmitsburg in each of the past two years and hope to continue doing so in the future. My observation is that the members of the Academy staff are as highly professional as any group I have seen anywhere. In spite of all the neglect, budget diversions, and indignities heaped on them, they bravely put the brightest possible spin on everything they do. One might think that each of them had taken a cue from the old song, “There`s No Business Like Show Business.” Each one puts on a smile and as a group they “… go on with the show.”
Even with the horrendous procurement system used to retain instructors, Dr. Denis Onieal and his staff somehow manage to put highly qualified, truly excellent speakers in the classrooms. Between the work in class and the networking with the brothers and sisters from across the nation, “experiencing Emmitsburg” is something highly recommended to anyone who takes the fire service commitment seriously.
But the undercurrents are there. When pointed out to us of lesser vision, they become quite clear.
Some time ago, I received from Fire Engineering an invitation to join a National Fire Academy Alumni Association. I accepted that same day …. Many of us feel powerless to address these or any other such problems as individuals. Yet, I suspect that a veritable army of us out there is waiting for something or someone to galvanize us into a cohesive “Force To Be Reckoned With” (to plagiarize a bit of Caroline Paul`s writing style).
Bill Manning`s recent editorials; the publishing of the Academy staff`s A White Paper to the National Fire Academy Board of Visitors [published in the April 1998 issue]; USFA Administrator Carrye B. Brown`s Response to the [National Fire Academy] White Paper [published in the May 1998 issue]; and Building a Fire Safe America: The Campaign for a Stronger USFA, by the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1983, representing the employees at the National Emergency Training Center [published verbatim in the June 1998 issue] lead me to conclude that Bill Manning and Fire Engineering see the problem and that Bill Manning and Fire Engineering are willing to “take ownership” of the problem and to put resources toward the solution.
If my observations are anywhere near target, this is a fight for survival as well as an opportunity to excel. Please take that leadership role. Invite debate and participation by all who care to become involved. Bill Manning should use his own considerable credibility, the credibility of Fire Engineering, and the “power of the pen” to become that cohesive “tie that binds us.”
“Let`s go on with the show.”
