From the Publishers Desk
departments
Fire Service—Ever-changing And Ever the same
We have been involved with Fire Engineering in one capacity or another for some 20 years now, and, of course, have enjoyed every minute of it. And we have been putting down our monthly thoughts in this column for nine years, come next December. This might seem like a chore but actually it is not too difficult since the Fire service is ever the same and still ever-changing.
Twenty years ago when we arrived on the scene, diesel engines had made their first appearance in a fire engine—duly reported on in Fire Engineering and in depth. Today, except for smaller apparatus, the diesel engine reigns supreme, having replaced the gasoline engine which had replaced the steam engine about 70 years ago—also reported on in depth in Fire Engineering.
The function of breathing apparatus remains the same, but in the past 20 years the filter mask was discarded and the self-contained (improved and regularly being lightened) has completely taken over.
We could go on like this with more examples of the ever-changing sameness of the fire service and its equipment, but you are probably more aware of it than we are. What has not changed though is the use that our readers make of Fire Engineering and, of course, have made down through the long years.
Our editors are never surprised when they find an article or series of articles from Fire Engineering in some department’s training manual. Or when they listen to a speaker at a conference who has borrowed liberally from Fire Engineering. Rather than being surprised, they are pleased and flattered.
Recently we had a request for copies of the major articles in last August’s issue by a big city chief who wanted them for the members of an arson task force he was forming. Another request asked for permission to use seven of Dick Sylvia’s columns in a training course on fire fighting.
We guess that what we are trying to say here is that Fire Engineering never changes—in its service to its readers.
