Letters to the Editor
departments
CEM Lauded
Indianapolis, Ind.
The term “comprehensive emergency management” (CEM), is increasingly finding a place in the vocabulary of those of us involved in the delivery of public safety services. Simply put, CEM involves multihazard approaches to the kinds of emergencies likely to be experienced by every community in the nation. CEM, developed by the National Governors Association, and accepted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a kind of common sense, pragmatic approach to dealing with major emergencies that fire chiefs, chiefs of police, EMS administrators, civil defense coordinators and elected and appointed public officials have long been calling for.
Thus, the failure to request funds for the United States Fire Administration in the FY1983 federal budget is particularly troubling to those of us who feel CEM is on target in dealing with major emergencies. Dick Sylvia’s comments in the May editorial are particularly appropriate. Despite some early bumps and scrapes, the ingredients were present to establish a truly collaborative effort between the American fire service and the emergency management/civil defense community.
Not only should fire service participation continue at FEMA via the operation of the USFA, but efforts must be put forth to involve other essential community services such as police service, EMS, public works, utilities, transportation and communications services. Professional, progressive local government emergency management coordinators harbor the greatest possible respect for the capabilities of the fire service. We feel it would be a real shame to have the USFA dismantled at a time when a major enhancement of emergency management/civil defense is taking place.
Douglas L. Crichlow
Emergency Management and Civil Defense Diu., City of Indianapolis
LPG Aid Sought
Honolulu, Hawaii
In Honolulu, we are in the process of designing an LPG training facility. It will be built by the parent corporation of our local gas company, PRI, Inc. With what LPG PRI, Inc., uses to train their people, an equal amount will be supplied to train fire fighters. The facility will have the basic Christmas tree plus below grade leaking flange, below grade leaking pipe, buried leaking pipe, impinging flame and class A & B combination fire.
The problem we face is, just how much LPG will a training mock-up burn a minute? We would like to ask your readers if any of them have such facilities or knowledge in this area; on design ideas, pitfalls, cost factors, etc. There are many such facilities around the country and we wish to learn from their experience. Why re-invent the wheel…?
Hon. Capt. Paul G. Fox
Federal Fire Dept. Hdqt., 3631 Nimitz Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96818.
