Cover photo criticism
Chris McCann
Pelham (NY) Fire Department
I was deeply distressed with the April 1999 cover photo and its many safety violations. I was afraid that if I didn`t write this letter these practices would go unnoticed, along with my great wealth of fireground knowledge.
There is not enough room on the roof over the front door for two firefighters to operate safely. The firefighter in the rear is using his tool in a way that could cause that piece of siding to fall on the member in front of him. The pitch of the roof they`re working on is too steep to be considered walkable, and it should have a roof ladder on it. The ladders on both sides of the entranceway are less than 10 feet from the power lines and are set up at poor angles. The halyard of the extension ladder is not snugly tied. Two of the four front windows have not been cleared of all obstructions. All of the hose in the front yard is stretched in an unsafe and messy manner, creating a trip hazard. The left shoulder strap of the officer talking to the deputy chief has slid down to a position where it is not offering ample support. The firefighter adjusting his helmet in front of the chief is not wearing his glove, contaminating his hand with hydrocarbons. The front door is not chocked, and everyone in the photo is in the collapse zone.
Does this sound a little ridiculous? Well, so do the majority of the Monday morning quarterback letters Fire Engineering prints. Anyone who has nothing better to do than sit around and analyze the cover of Fire Engineering needs a hobby. No fireground is safe. Unfortunately, some of the hazards are created by firefighters rushing to accomplish the tasks at hand.
For all you critics, think back to the last cranking fire you pulled up to and all the things that ran through your head. Now, take a moment and conjure up all those things that didn`t. Blatant examples of unsafe practices don`t need to be pointed out in Letters to the Editor. Firefighters viewing the cover will see them on their own–including those making the mistakes. None of us is perfect. I know it`s hard, but cut us a little slack.
