I Want You to Meet…
DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S OPINION
FIRE ENGINEERING has a new publisher…Henry H. Dinneen. I am especially pleased to make this announcement because Henry is as enthusiastic as I am about the fire service and FIRE ENGINEERING.
Henry has joined us after 12 successful years in publishing. Since graduating with honors from the University of Rhode Island, and armed with a science degree in marketing and advertising, he has developed a unique sense of empathizing with the market in which he is publishing. In the past month Henry has taken to the firefighting field like a duck takes to water.
Trade shows are nothing new to Henry, considering his experience as an active and participative manager. As a result of his involvement in the field he has a responsiveness to the editorial needs of the readers he meets both in surveys and society meetings. Although his background is in trade publishing, Henry has all the spirit and ethics found in those who can make “the long hallway.” Giving 110%, he has, in one month, made changes and suggestions that promise to be a great help in setting up FIRE ENGINEERING as an even better service magazine that will be more responsible to you, our readers.
What was missing was Henry’s beginnings as an interactive influence with our respected universe—our firefighters and emergency responders. “Jump in,” I told him. “You’ll be caught up in their warmth, enthusiasm, expertise, and heart in no time.”
Hazardous materials, one of the most widely discussed issues and one of the most frightening incidents to mitigate, has been addressed in training sessions, articles, and, recently, at a hazardous materials conference in Denver, CO.
With such an important topic for the fire service, this seemed the perfect opportunity to introduce FIRE ENGINEERING’S new publisher into the “real world” of emergency response.
So, we headed off to Denver, looking forward to meeting and talking with a good number of hazardous material responders, firefighters, fire officers, equipment manufacturers, suppliers, etc.
There were over 300 exhibitors with impressive and educational presentations of their products and services—which I’m sure impressed the only firefighter and police officer we met, who just happened to drop by, having spotted the banner hanging outside the exhibition hall. We did, however, begin and renew old friendships among our advertisers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Their pleasant and friendly demeanor was sustained even though the exhibit hall was virtually void of attendees.
“I feally feel for them,” said Henry. “This is getting more and more common—conference managers selling booth space and not the attendance.” I nodded.
Even though our Denver trip was a false start as far as FIRE ENGINEERING reader exposure was concerned, I was thrilled to be able to foster an alliance that, I know, will be great for the magazine. Though he doesn’t own torn turnout coats and battered helmets, Henry seems to fit like a glove into our world.
I know you will all join me in wishing Henry, his wife Ellen, and their three children success as they team up with our FIRE ENGINEERING family.
