Have a Safe New Year
DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S OPINION
Brothers, in the November issue of FIRE ENGINEERING, I had asked you to respond to an article on firefighter safety by Hugh Caulfield. I felt that Hugh’s unselfish efforts on your behalf were so important that I ran it under our Volunteers Corner banner. Mr. Caulfield is greatly concerned with safety legislation protection for the nation’s firefighters, especially in the volunteer sector, and he would like to provide you with an accurate (as possible) picture of where your protection level is and how it compares with the national level. More important, Hugh hopes to compile as much data as possible to channel some of your efforts into areas where you can further increase your protection.
Since the last issue, response has been great. FIRE ENGINEERING has received some mailings and many phone calls. In order to make it easier, we have provided a two-part questionnaire for you to use. The first part appears on pages 17 and 18 of this issue. The second half will be printed in our January 1985 issue. You may make your answers as short or as long as you wish. We have also provided a free mailing. Just complete as much of the questionnaire as you desire and fold the stamped, addressed section to the outside, seal, and drop it in the mailbox.
In advance, thanks.
Now, as my first full year as editor closes, I find myself thinking back and reflecting on what has happened in so short a time. I find that I have a lot to be thankful for. First, to be very selfish, I had retired relatively whole from the world’s most dangerous profession. A few areas of new skin, parts, and flaps artificially re-attached; bones and digits shaped a little differently than when I first received them; but, all in all, in one piece. Being offered this position as editor of FIRE ENGINEERING enabled me to remain on a fringe section of the job I loved so dearly. It was nice, to say the least.
I had set a simple goal for myself at that time. I would try to find the people who would help me make this a book that I would read. Selfish? Sure! But what would be the point of steering a journal that you don’t read?
I spent many lonely hours trying to broadcast what it was that I was attempting to do through the pages of FIRE ENGINEERING. I hoped to find the caliber of contributing authors and experts who I knew had to be out there. It was tough to cut the parochial cord that tied me to my security in New York City. You made it easy.
I have gained so many new friends in the FIRE ENGINEERING world. I am surprised and grateful. Our job always tended to be a mecca to those whose values of humanity were held on a very high plane. You showed me, within one year, that these values were an international denominator of the fire service. States from coast to coast, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and Europe are all homes to people we have warmly been able to call friend.
I wanted to thank you all in this column, but to try to list each and every one of you individually would be to err and omit. However, please believe that you are in our thoughts and prayers as all of us here at FIRE ENGINEERING wish all of you a very happy Hanukkah, a very merry Christmas, and a most joyous, prosperous, and safe new year.
