LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Contributing factors to a fatal myocardial infarction
I take exception to Roy G. Gelbhaus’ comment in the Letters section of the July 1986 issue of FIRE ENGINEERING. His comment about the 65-yearold volunteer firefighter possibly being a marathon runner and that activity possibly causing heart attack grates the nerves.
Asa firefighter/paramedic and basic life support instructor, I do not believe that the statement was made with any consideration of or investigation into the individual’s lifestyle. It is a wellstated fact by the American Heart Association that the following things contribute to cardiovascular disease and may precipitate a myocardial infarction:
- Obesity (anyone more than 10 pounds in excess of his ideal weight or with what is commonly referred to as a sunken chest);
- Diabetic;
- Stress (unrelated to job);
- Hypertension;
- History of heart problems in the family;
- Sex (male);
- Race (white);
- Age (over 40);
- Lung disease;
- Lifestyle;
- Smoking (basically cigarettes).
As you can see, being a marathon runner is not a contributing factor to a myocardial infarction.
Biographies are necessary
The following letter refers to a reprint of an article that ran in FIRE ENGINEERING back in May 1983. At that time, the magazine was under a different editor and its features did not contain the more complete biographical information about their authors that they do now.
1 received an ad reprint from your magazine which includes an article on breathing apparatus maintenance by Robert Eddy. This article is currently being distributed as advertising by ISI Ranger Corp.
We believe that in an article of this nature, it should be clarified that in addition to being a firefighter and selfcontained breathing apparatus maintenance person, that Robert Eddy is also a distributor for ISI Ranger breathing apparatus. It is inappropriate for an informational article to neglect noting the bias of the author and his connection with the company.
Mark Fleming Sales Manager
Continental Safety Equipment St. Paul, MN
It is also a known fact that good heart habits, such as low cholesterol intake, not smoking, reducing stress, and good cardiovascular fitness (an aerobic activity that gives a working heart rate for 20-25 minutes every other day) will reduce the probabilities that the myocardial infarction will be fatal.
What all fire departments need, both paid and volunteer, chiefs and dispatchers as well as firefighters, is to consider and adopt a good cardiovascular fitness program.
Ralph L. Lloyd Assistant Chief-Paramedic Carrollton Village Fire Department Carrollton, OH
A helpful hint to combat brush fires
We are a volunteer department in northwestern Pennsylvania. A small town of 3,000 residents, we operate out of three stations and protect approximately 15 square miles of mostly rural area with abundant grasslands.
Up until 1980, we averaged 15 to 20 brush fires during the spring season. Since the majority of our brush fires were caused by children looking to create excitement, Chief Bill Keneske came up with a rather unique fire prevention plan. We now have only squad trucks respond initially on brush fires, without using lights and sirens. Back at the stations, the engines are manned and ready to roll if the severity of the fire warrants backup units.
By eliminating the lights and sirens, the excitement is averted, and the number of brush fires have been brought to a minimum. In fact, we responded to only five brush fires last year.
We don’t overlook the danger of brush fires by any means. If the fire is severe or a structure is near, all stations will respond, sending three additional engines. Most times, however, the fire is extinguished with a couple of indian tanks and fire rakes.
This year, we went one step further by eliminating the alerting siren for brush fires. We now use pagers for dispatching and hope that this will further reduce the number of brush fires.
We realize that this procedure may not work for every department, but here it has proved to make our job a lot easier.
Frank Jovenitti
Assistant Chief fohnsonburg Fire Department Johnsonburg, PA
Clarification of safe operations
The cover of your July 1986 issue shows a firefighter on the ladder pipe without full protective clothing (selfcontained breathing apparatus).
Keeping in mind that this cover pictures one of the most progressive fire departments in the western United States, I am concerned about the impact it may have on other firefighters who see the photo. From the moment a new recruit walks in the door, we start teaching him that personal safety is number one. Yet when he sees something like that on the cover of a respected national magazine, we might be sending that recruit a strong wrong message.
May I suggest that in the future, you provide a bit more explanation with a photo that leaves a safety question open to speculation?
Mark A. Lawley Lieutenant
Longmont Fire Protection District Longmont, CO
The cover of the July issue shows two firefighters at the base of a ladder truck in protective breathing apparatus, while the firefighter on the ladder, nearest the fire, is without any protective breathing equipment. Although this photo is a good “action” shot, it shows a disregard for safety.
I think since you have been “Leading the Fire Service Since 1877,” you should examine such pictures for safety content as well as for action before it is published.
Mark W. Wendelsdorf Training Administrator Flossmoor Volunteer Fire Department Flossmoor, IL
Editor’s response: While reader feedback is always encouraged and well received, I have to question these readers’ returns. Since coming on board at FIRE ENGINEERING, I have shunned pictures showing firefighters “on” ladderpipes. A firefighter operating in this precarious positon is extremely unsafe and inhibits the mobility, efficiency, and versatility of the defensive operation of the ladderpipe stream. A firefighter “on” the pipe should mean that he is using two ropes (halyards) to vertically move the ladderpipe into the proper attack position (see FIRE ENGINEERING’S September 1984 cover photo). The firefighter on the July cover is attaching the portable ladderpipe and halyards and then leaving the aerial to operate the pipe in the safe, “unmanned” manner that it should be.
Tom Brennan
