LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
DEPARTMENTS
Be realistic in your expectations of yourself
The 65-year-old volunteer firefighter was rushed to the hospital, but the (heart) attack proved fatal.” Other than knowing that he was checking for roof brands, the Passaic conflagration article in the November 1985 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING tells us nothing more about this individual. Perhaps he was a marathon runner.
While my comments may seem unfair in this instance with so little knowledge, I believe that somewhere in the fire service my message will strike home.
In 1976, the International Association of Fire Fighters prepared the Firefighter Mortality Report—the saddest book that you’ll ever read. It detailed the circumstances of 101 firefighter deaths as they occurred sequentially across the country. Heart attack deaths after age 45 numbered 40, while fire suppression and other duty deaths numbered 11 and 4, respectively. Seven of these heart attacks occurred in individuals 55-59 years old and yet another seven among firefighters 60 and over.
I am not making an argument for mandatory retirement, especially when membership in both paid and volunteer fire departments is so important to many firefighters’ social lives. Similarly, more attention is being given to fitness among firefighters. What I do suggest is that individuals who are at greater risk seriously look at themselves. If they choose to remain on the job, then they should develop expertise in support functions.
The ones that come to mind most readily are air cylinder supply, communications, and fireground lighting. In addition, anyone who has ever been in the position of waiting for water knows how crucial a good pump operator is. If such individuals train themselves in pump operations and hydraulics to the point that they are truly proficient, they will gain the respect of the rest of the department. Even if they don’t drive to the scene, others who are itching to get into the action will gladly relinquish the pump panel.
Again, I do not know anything about the firefighter in Passaic and, perhaps, in the midst of a conflagration, checking roofs for brands was a support function. Yet, fireground managers also have a responsibility to assess the capabilities of their personnel as they assign them. Climbing several flights of stairs in full firefighting gear in a stressful situation can be quite arduous for someone who is not in excellent physical condition.
This is not a call for age discrimination. Rather, consider it a call for individuals to take the responsibility for setting realistic expectations for themselves as they age to better assure their survival. It takes maturity to say, “I’m not the person I used to be.”
Roy G. Gelbhaus
Drillmaster
Boulder Fire Department
Boulder, CO
A suggested means to account for personnel
I’m writing in response to Paul McFadden’s May 1985 Volunteers Corner, “Do You Know Where Your Men Are?”
I and several other officers of the Riverdale Volunteer Fire Department (which is located jsut south of Chicago, IL) can echo his sentiments regarding the troubles and problems one encounters when trying to account for fireground personnel.
For the past year or so, we have been working on an idea that would allow instant accountability of those responding to the scene of an incident.
We have since began marketing our idea under the name “Quick-Count.” The purpose of the product is to help account for volunteer personnel on a fireground. The system also works well for career/full-time departments.
With this system, each firefighter and officer will be issued a personalized magnet that is small enough to be carried in the pocket of their turnout gear. When a firefighter arrives at the scene, he simply takes the magnet from his pocket and places it on a magnetized board located next to an engine or at the command post.
This product will give incident commanders and officers a quick and accurate count of the manpower at a scene. Such information is vital when assessing whether or not additional assistance or mutual aid may be needed. It is also a means of quick reference as to who is on the scene if a building should collapse.
If anyone would like to find out more about our product, they can contact us by writing to: Fire Service Products, 111 E. 140th Court, Riverdale, IL 60627.
Edward D.Leeson
Fire Service Products
Riverdale, IL
We must stand up for our existence
There has never been a fire that has been extinguished and property saved due to the passive actions of the fire department.
It is time now to become pro-active in saving the National Fire Academy, not after the proposal to eliminate it is introduced. We must be aggressive and attack, not react.
For example, if a national fire academy is not needed to train fire service leaders, can we assume that the Federal Bureau of Investigation academy will be cut also? Police departments are failing in law enforcement even after more and more money is being put into them. We are being more successful with less, but there is a bottom line.
We must attack other sacred cows and compare and justify our existence or we will become extinct.
James A. Geil
Fire Chief
Apache function Fire District
Apache function, AZ
Attic smoke alarm solution
There’s a fairly simple solution to H. V. Longley’s search for a smoke alarm for his attic (Letters to the Editor, January 1986) that will cause an audible signal in the living space of his house. Numerous manufacturers have come on the market with UL listed multiplestation smoke alarms. These are almost identical to the normal residential single-station smoke alarms, except that they have an extra wire or two that allows the alarm horns to be tied together. When one detector “smells” smoke, all the alarm horns that are tied together sound simultaneously.
Mr. Longley should ask himself if he really wants a smoke alarm in his attic, though. Most attics are dusty, damp places that are subject to wild swings in temperature. This is not an ideal environment for a smoke detector. Also, he will probably have an inordinately high incidence of false alarms. Insects and spiders usually love to nest and hatch their young in attics. They often find their way into the detection chamber of smoke detectors causing false alarms. If the attic is tough to get to, the alarm will drive the family crazy before the smoke chamber can be cleared to reset the detector.
Alfred J. Longhitano, PE
Principal
Gage-Babcock & Associates, Inc.
Mount Kisco, NY
