LETTERS
DEPARTMENTS
Accept the Challenge
I found “International Concepts In Fire Protection” (August 1983) quite a challenging article. The challenge was not in bold new ideas, but to apply concepts we have long payed lip service to. Mr. Schaenman’s study shows that these ideas do have an impact where they have been applied.
Fire prevention is probably the best example of a means often underutilized in reaching our goals.
“…the lack of emphasis upon fire prevention has helped to defeat the purpose for which the department exists— that of preventing loss of life and property from fire.”
That is not a quote from the article nor is it from “American Burning .” It is a quote from the third edition of “Municipal Fire Administration” published in Sept. 1942. Forty-one years later little has changed.
Certainly the opposition to changes in our system of fire protection is quite formidable, but it appears that the rewards possibly justify our efforts.
George J. Coates, Jr.
Lt. Buffalo Fire Department
U.S. Fire Fighter Safety
I am writing regarding the article “International Concepts in Fire Protection” in the August 1983 issue of Fire Engineering. Mr. Schaenman should be commended for his statement on the attitude towards fire fighter safety in America. I quote “They (Europeans) are not willing to risk the safety of fire fighters to save property….This is very different from the U.S., where interior fire fighting is used to reduce property loss.”
Granted many American fire departments are equipped with stateof-the-art personal fire equipment, and their officers are well trained and experienced in up to date fire tactics, however it is my opinion that a great many American departments are not equipped and trained by modern standards. Even so, they are still making agressive interior attacks to the best of their ability often at the risk of their own lives. This may be the “macho” thing to do but it is foolish at best. There is absolutely no property worth saving at the risk of your life, health or well being.
It is also my opinion that many well equipped and trained fire fighters are being killed or injured in over aggressive attacks to once again save property or just “make a good stop.” I am not advocating outside fire or “surround and drown”tactics. But I do feel too many American fire fighters are being ordered into hopeless situations.
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This reverts back to Gene Carlson’s February article on “Lloyd Layman’s Theory: Its Time Has Come and Gone.” I feel Gene and many other fire service leaders are perpetuating a false sense of security. They are presenting their theories as dogma that an agressive interior attack carried out by well equipped and trained fire crews is relatively safe, when it may not be so. The American fire service is looking for guidance. Those in a position to influence many people should be guarded in the comments they make to the public and not just toss out generalities that are not absolute truth, There are too many lives at stake!
Bruce Hensler
McKeesport Fire Department, PA
Checking Our Figures
I have been reading, utilizing and enjoying your fine magazine for many years, and your new format has made it even better than it was.
I have to comment, though, on your article in the August 1983 issue titled “Buried Alive.” You said “Pocatello Fire Department has 71 of the state’s 600 fire fighters.” I realize that Idaho has a small population in comparison to the eastern states but that figure is so far off that I cannot let it stand undisputed.
In 1979 the Idaho Fire Chief’s Association did a survey of the fire departmens in Idaho. At that time there were seven corporations with paid/ volunteer and 153 volunteer departments. The average manpower compliment of the volunteer department was 20 men. The total fire fighting force in Idaho is estimated at 105 industrial, 600 paid and over 3060 volunteers for a total of 3765 men, not 600 as stated in your article.
Robert M. Lyons
Fire Chief
Northside Fire District Ponderay, ID
Aluminum Amphibian
The City of Miami Fire, Rescue and Inspection Services Department has outfitted for fire fighting an old aluminum LARC-V as an amphibious fire boat. The surplus vehicle was originally built in the late 1960’s for cargo service in Vietnam.
