By Diane Feldman, Managing Editor

Quote of the week
From Rick Fritz, battalion chief of training, High Point (NC) Fire Department, commenting on fire departments having to do too much with too little: "The term for the new fire service should be the 'Hellman's Department' because we are spread so thin."

Cheaper isn't always better
An urban city in New Jersey held a Memorial Service on 9-11-02 to remember the victims of the World Trade Center disaster. The organizers were told to purchase doves to be released at the conclusion of the service. Trying to save a little money, they went to a live poultry store and bought pigeons instead. When it came time to release the birds, the organizer opened the cages, and nothing happened. The pigeons just sat there. One organizer stuck his hand in the cages and started "flinging" the pigeons out. Some flew and promptly fell into the Hudson River; some others got run over by nearby trains. Lesson learned: Doves and pigeons are not interchangeable!

A sign of the times
A new retail store opened in New York City a few blocks from the former World Trade Center site. Called "Safer America," the store bills itself as "one-stop shopping to prepare for a terrorist attack." It features such items as haz-mat suits, iodine tablets to guard against radiation, and gas masks. It even sells an $800+ "executive parachute" to escape from a high-rise building. Three more store locations are in the works.

Moving tribute
The Yenta was privileged to sit with the families of FDNY 9-11 victims at the Memorial Service at Madison Square Garden hosted by FDNY and the International Association of Fire Fighters. The service, which many saw on television and on big screens outside the event, was beautifully done and very moving. One poignant moment that stood out in my memory was the taped rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner"-taped from an earlier performance of the song by Firefighter Vernon Cherry, a member of FDNY who perished in the World Trade Center attack.

Honoring the memory
For those of you who want to honor the memory of Scott Millsap, longtime friend to Fire Engineering and FDIC who passed away a few weeks ago, a memorial fund has been set up to help offset his medical costs and provide for his children. Send donations to the Scott Millsap Memorial Fund, c/o First Bank of Dalton, 118 N. Hamilton Street, Dalton, GA 30720 (706) 226-5377.

If you have a tidbit for the Fire Yenta, e-mail dianef@pennwell.com.

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