Letters to the Editor
“Meat and potatoes” articles, some Western-style, earn praise from readers
It amazes me how much “meat and potatoes” you’ve been able to put into your magazine. I’m very glad to see the increased number of letters to the editor-people are reading! The first two things I personally look at are your works —the editorial and Random Thoughts. Don’t stop now!
Sam Goldwater
National Sales Manager
Angus Fire Armour Cory.
We at the Rancho Santiago College Basic Fire Academy would like to take this opportunity to voice our thanks for all the work you and your staff deliver in presenting one of the finest fire service publications going. There’s always something of interest and pertinence to fire service members on the West Coast. I don’t believe that’s easy to do. Other fire service publications seem to sell nationwide, but print mostly East Coast articles. I recommend your magazine to my academy graduates as the fire service periodical of choice if they want to stay on the “crest of the wave” of new and existing fire protection information.
Richard J. Keller
Basic Fire Academy Coordinator
Santa Ana, Calif.
Information sought on impact of NFPA 1500
I’m doing research on the present and future impact of the new firefighter safety standard, NFPA 1500, on small rural fire departments, especially those faced with cold-weather firefighting operations. I’d be most interested in hearing from anyone regarding any information they might have on this subject (fire department regulations, articles, etc.), or any comments or suggestions they might have.
Charles M. “Sandy” Huss
P.O. Box 277
Kotzebue, Alaska 99752
Timely reading aids fire department’s response
As I read the March article, “The Metal Deck Roof Debate,” it reminded me of a recent fire that occurred in the very same way at a co-generation plant in our area. I thought the article would be a good, educational tool for the firefighters to read, so I made a copy of it.
Just as I finished copying the article, our alarm sounded. The address for that was none other than the co-generation plant. The roof of the 16-story structure was reported to be on fire. I grabbed the papers and responded.
The fire was small, located around the perimeter of a steam pipe which was at a temperature of 960°F. At that point, the fire had been partially extinguished by plant employees, but we had the job of looking for extension. So with two circular power saws and brush rakes, we cut a four-by-four hole around the steam pipe. The insulation on the roof was 18 inches thick, and had to be dug out with rakes and shovels. Reading the article made the job much easier and helped us to complete it with as little damage as possible. Don’t be surprised if someday when you’re reading an article in Fire Engineering, you come face-to-face with the same situation —I did.
Anthony J. Brophy
Chief
Altamont Fire Co.
Frackville, Pa.
