THANKS IN NOVEMBER EDITOR’S OPINION This issue marks the end of my fifth year as editor of Fire Engineering magazine. When I began, editing was not my strongest suit. But what did I know? I knew the fire business, from the paid to the volunteer sectors. I knew the higher education aspects as well as how to train with the basics. I knew that no one could have gone to more fires, made as many mistakes, and gained as many lessons. I knew I hadn’t read this magazine for many years—and I knew why. The magazine seemed to have lost its focus. “Consultants” were on the rise and our fire business was in the editorial hands of “empty suits” (some with different-colored stones in their rings) who hung around and asked you what you knew and wrote down what they thought you told them —under their byline. No wonder you…
