Letters to the Editor
Don’t be a dinosaur
Two words sum up my opinion of your August editorial, “Damned If You Say It, Damned If You Don’t”: Right on!
Call me what you like, but please don’t call me a dinosaur. I’m not extinct. I began professionally in the fire service in May 1954, and I’ve been progressively changing since then.
You summed it up with one word in your editorial—attitude. Our environment is changing every dayAll we have to do to see that is to check the traffic moving on our highways, in the air, on the water, or by rail. The fire service must keep up with this change. But it isn’t in one small segment of our daily lives. It’s the entire picture— chemicals (toxic and explosive), structures (high-rise, commercial, or industrial), and transportation.
I hope to retire in less than two years, and I’d like to leave my position as fire marshal to a man or woman who will continue my efforts. I tried to build on the foundation of some great people and hope that in some way I improved the breed. I don’t want to be forgotten as the extinct dinosaur or even as the bald eagle that’s now considered one of the endangered species.
Mr. Brennan, keep up your good work. You voice is loud and strong. Adolph J. Rebelo Fire Marshal Township of Abington
Fire Depa rtm en t
Abington, Pa.
Striving for consistent ICS
After reading Thomas R. Wood’s article, “Suited for Entry: Haz-Mat Incident Command,” in the September issue, I thought, “Let’s quit butchering incident command structure.”
We’re trying so hard to have some small semblance of standard organization, but articles and samples like this are really counterproductive. It would take too long to describe to Mr. Wood, but mavbe vou can suggest he read a little bit before showing examples of incident command structure.
Jim McFadden
Department Training Officer and
Academy Administrator
California Department of Forestry
