Fire service helped Omega recall effort
I disagree with Bill Manning`s assertion that the “U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC) saved the fire service” by recalling the Omega sprinklers (Editor`s Opinion, November 1998). The implication of his editorial is that the CPSC chose to act on its own without input or support from the fire service. This is simply not true. While I believe that the CPSC would have eventually taken action on the Omega issue, the relatively quick action it took was the result of pressure applied by members of the fire service. Furthermore, members of the fire service and fire protection communities provided considerable help in its investigation. The editorial support and the article Fire Engineering published on the subject also helped to move the process along.
I agree that “the vast majority of the fire service U reacted to this vital life safety issue with indifference.” This must be replaced with a vigorous effort to locate and remove every Omega sprinkler as quickly as possible. Every head that remains in place puts firefighters and citizens at risk. We are negligent if we do not ensure that this issue is dealt with as quickly as possible.
The real lesson to be learned from the Omega issue is that the codes are relatively weak when it comes to removing from service a faulty product that has been listed, and continues to be listed, by a testing laboratory. Since the code mandates acceptance of a listed product, subject to AHJ approval, it is almost impossible to stop its use when a manufacturer is willing to take legal action against any AHJ that does not approve its use.
When the product does not perform as expected in the real world, the listing laboratories must step up and remove the listing. My involvement with the Omega issue has taught me that the listing agency may have a stronger allegiance to the manufacturer paying the laboratory for the listing service than to the public who uses the product. This should disturb all members of the fire protection community.
We attacked the Omega issue by using many different means, including publicity and groups such as the National Fire Protection Association. In the Omega case, the CPSC proved to be the most viable option for removing the product from use as quickly as possible. Let`s not sell the fire service short because we used the best tool available to get the job done.
Carl A. Maurice
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Sustain the “heart and soul” of the fire service
look forward to Bill Manning`s Editor`s Opinion in each issue and want to encourage him to sustain the likes of Rick Van Sant, Jr., of the Indianapolis (IN) Fire Department (Editor`s Opinion, September 1998) and those in the fire service who are determined not to lose those they serve. Contrary to the present preoccupation with pleasing the media and getting out sound bites, to use your words, Rick is “low-key,” “self-effacing,” and “doing it for a living.”
Far too often we do not see the will, minds, and hearts of firefighters but those of the pseudomembers and interlopers who have joined the fire service and are living off the hard-earned reputation of those who truly put others before themselves.
“Courage, tenacity, love of life, and the urgent will to preserve U life” indeed define a firefighter, but these constants seem to erode in or are absent from many who are in the fire service but do not belong to it. Too often, we are hearing about the risk or the statistics or how this will affect me or my career by those who would like to manage firefighters and not lead them. How often do we see a stand being taken on the tough issues–particularly in the mid-level positions?
Sustaining the “heart and soul” of the fire service will not be served by endless bureaucrats trying to pigeonhole firefighting practices into corporate technospeak and buzzwords. The Rick Van Sants of our world don`t wait for committee or team approval but act on their training and experience to save and preserve life. Reckless freelancing is not acceptable, but decisive action by those at the point of attack is what has made our profession what it is. Accounting is not firefighting. Firefighting is an art that requires determination, tenacity, humility, endurance, mental toughness, and courage.
I would suggest that love and zest for life are what has gained the fire service the great respect and admiration of those we serve. Let`s not let anyone try to make us like everyone else.
Bill Maher
Fire Department of New York (Retired)