Drop Dead!
DEPARTMENTS
EDITOR’S OPINION
In the past few months, the fire service community has been anticipating a negative attitude from the Federal Government with respect to future funding of the U.S. Fire Administration, the National Fire Academy, and the Bureau of Standards’ Center for Fire Research.
Our worst fears have been surpassed. The proposed budget for fiscal year 1987 has provided zero-funding for both the Fire Administration and the Center for Fire Research; and the impact of this on an already battlefatigued, understaffed fire academy promises to be even more debilitating.
The sympathetic “pulse” of influential White House staffers is felt to be as weak as ever. Combine this with the pressure of the Balanced Budget Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1982 (Gramm-Rudman) and disaster seems almost imminent.
We have stood by too passive too long. Our unselfish cause—the saving of lives and property from the ravages of fire—usually managed to allow us to cling to the edge of budgetary death. Even the black eye received by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the Congressional Investigation Committee hearings last year could not tarnish the goals and actions of the fire service. We thought the fire service could surmount any obstacle. And it could — until the Federal Government turned its head and shouted “Drop dead.”
There are 1.5-million firefighters in the United States. The National Fire Academy has not only had a positive impact directly or indirectly on each and every one of them, but also on those who have benefitted from their improved and informed strategies, tactics, and procedures.
The private and public sectors should be aware of the multiplier effect of such agencies: positive through their efforts, and, certainly, negative through their demise.
Although the fire service, because of the nature of the profession, is not run like a democracy, the United States still is, and its citizens (which include firefighters) have a right to be heard and be influential.
The International Association of Fire Chiefs is spearheading an intensive effort to make its members and all fire and emergency service personnel aware of the seriousness of the situation. They are literally begging us to put forth a rallying cry of support to sustain the enormous, unselfish, untiring, and beneficial efforts of the Fire Academy, the Fire Administration, and the Center for Fire Research. Anyone (everyone) interested in contacting key members of Congress about these matters can write or call for an information package to: The International Association of Fire Chiefs, 1329 18th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, Attention Colin Campbell; telephone (202) 833-3420.
Wait no longer. Be informed. Get involved. Be heard.
A constituent-educated legislature may finally be able to understand our problems and the valuable answer they so casually hold in their hands.