“Bits and Pieces”
Derryl B. O`Neal, M.P.A.
Charlotte County Fire and Emergency
Medical Services Department
Punta Gorda, Florida
Reviewing “Bits and Pieces” (Editor`s Opinion, January 1998), I found some of Bill Manning`s comments outrageous and, in my opinion, mistaken–particularly with regard to EMS. Yes, emergency medical care training demands a great amount of time from a fire department, but do not mistakenly announce that this is the demise of the fire service. If anything, EMS is sustaining and giving life to a dying breed U.
If we want to talk about the lack of firefighter training, then let`s discuss the lack of a national, renewable standard for the firefighters. When you consider this standard for firefighters, do not forget the engine and chief officers. Years from now, when this standard is disputed, debated, and finally finalized, compare that with some of the emergency medical recertification requirements that are already in place.
As for Editor Manning`s commentary concerning incident command and accountability systems U I`ll just say three words–Hackensack, New Jersey–or maybe two words–Estero, Florida, or Wherever USA. It does not matter where you are discussing accountability, incident command and firefighter safety must be first and foremost in the minds and hearts of every fire administrator, chief, and line firefighter. Through attrition or elaborate funerals, the old ways of doing business will meet the same end as the dinosaurs. The only question will be, How many firefighters and civilians will be affected in the interim?
In “Bits and Pieces,” Bill Manning reports that in 1996, 94 firefighters died in the line of duty, 66 of whom were volunteers. Also, he says that 29 of the volunteers died while responding to or returning from alarms. Statistics taken out of context are relatively meaningless. What is the ratio of volunteers to paid firefighters? Did these deaths occur in fire equipment or private vehicles? If they were in private vehicles, do paid personnel ever respond to alarms in their own vehicles? Without putting these figures in perspective, it sounds like Manning is trying to beat up on the volunteers.
Ross L. Talbott
President
Burning Mountains Volunteer Fire
Protection District
Silt, Colorado
Bill Manning`s response: Trying to “beat up” on volunteers? I don`t think so. I say again to all who respond to emergencies in any type of vehicle: Drive safely and live!
