Vickery Grateful For Support, Warns Of Need for Unity
United States Fire Administrator Gordon Vickery, appointed by the Democratic Administration, resigned on Feb. 5 at the request of the new Republican Administration. He was just one of the many presidential appointees who became political casualties last November, but to the nation’s fire service, he was the most important one. He headed the federal government’s effort to provide the national resources sought by the fire service. Vickery wrote the following message to the fire service upon leaving the United States Fire Administration.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding support the nation’s fire service has given me during my tenure as administrator of the USFA, This was truly exemplified in the hundreds of letters, telegrams and telephone calls that were made to the Reagan Administration urging my retention.
As I reflect upon the last two years, a great deal has been accomplished because of the fire service support of the USFA. The National Fire Academy is functioning, all fire service organizations have had substantial input regarding USFA programs, and as a result, existing programs were strengthened and many initiatives were added, all this within assigned budgets.
The future of the USFA appears clouded! During the present period of transition and reorganization, it will take sustained and dedicated effort by the nation’s fire service to merely maintain the status quo. Unfortunately, there exists within our fraternity those individuals and organizations who would sacrifice all or part of the USFA for their own personal or organizational purposes.
Quite frankly, it is my personal opinion that this nation’s fire fighters, union and non-union, paid and volunteer alike, acting collectively, provide the only means of maintaining a strong federal fire service program.
In closing, thanks again for your tremendous support and, “Hang in there!”
