LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Sworn to protect life and property
I’m writing to congratulate Bill Manning on “Line in the Hallway, or Deck Gun Through the Front Door?” (Editor’s Opinion, August 1993). The last decade has been most frustrating for many firefighters as we have watched with alarm and chagrin the unhealthy change in the attitude of some of our supposed spokesperson-leaders as they systematically denigrate and dismantle this truly proud profession of dedicated personnel.
Most firefighters have always felt that the public hired us to protect their lives and property While the life of any person, including a firefighter, is certainly more valuable than anyone’s material possessions, I do not believe that it automatically follows that we should write off the citizens’ homes and valuables if there appear to be any hazards to the operating forces.
Nobody ever said —until recently at least —that we would not be exposed to any dangers while doing our job. I believe Bill Manning is right on the mark when he says that some leaders never have learned this most difficult profession and that they are more willing to let the public suffer than to provide the essential direction needed to produce an effective firefighting force that serves the best interests of those it is sworn to serve.
When the objective becomes “simply let property be destroyed,” whyeven bother to respond? If this mindset becomes the standard operating procedure, the staffing issue becomes unimportant, as Manning correctly points out.
It can eliminate the age discrimination controversy as well Those two firefighters Manning visualizes showing up at the citizen’s house and turning on the deck gun may as well be 70 years old. Why not? The poor taxpayer’s house is on the way out anyway, and the taxpayer can spend the rest of the day seeking accommodations elsewhere.
The editorial is timely and contains a lot of common sense, a commodity that apparently was not included in the curriculum of many of the available fire science courses. Thank you for your interest and concern.
I also enjoyed “In Response to the Demand for Fire Department Cutbacks”—the open letter to the various city fathers by Deputy Chief Denis G. Onieal of the Jersey City (NJ) Fire Department. He sounds like a protege of retired Chief John Mullins.
Leo D. Stapleton
Fire Commissioner
Chief of Department (retired)
Boston (MA) Fire Department
Keys to successful chief
Hats off to Chief John M. Buckman for his excellent article, “Keys to Being a Successful Chief” (Volunteers Corner, August 1993). His advice to volunteers who wish to be successful in a changing world easily applies to all professionals. I especially enjoyed the enlightening information provided in Key 7: “Become a global networker.” This has become a vital principle in Laerdal’s commitment to assist emergency care providers in helping save lives.
All of the “10 Keys” to attaining success, along w ith Chief Buckman’s very appropriate explanations and examples, have made this article required reading for the sales and marketing professionals in our organization. Congratulations to Chief Buckman for his insight and relevant suggestions for winning in today’s changing world.
Richard M. Murphy
Vice President, Marketing
Laerdal Medical Corporation
Armonk, New York
Firefighters above economics
I am compelled to voice my opinion due in part to my anger with and in part to my disappointment in the fire service leadership. The issue of minimum staffing came to the forefront of the fire service under the heading of firefighter safety and health. Since that time, it has caused what probably is the deepest rift the modern fire service has ever experienced.
I am a young firefighter looking forward to another 20 years in the fire service before retirement, and I look ahead with fear for my safety and that of my fellow firefighters. I read with increasing regularity articles and opinions from fire service leaders speaking out against a minimum staffing provision based on economic reasoning. In the July/August issue of 911 magazine, for example, the president of the Iowa Fire Chiefs Association presents the opinion that “the consequences of a minimum staffing standard could have been catastrophic.” He bases this statement on purely economic factors relating to station closures and consolidations. The loss of a single firefighter’s life is catastrophic to me, and for the fire service leaders in this country to worry less about the safety of their own people than the “almighty dollar” is pathetic.
The argument of economics does have some validity, however, and the words consolidation and cooperation should not instill fear. If six fire departments were to go out of business and be replaced with three better-trained, better-equipped, and better-staffed departments, I would see no loser. In this age of increasing hazards and high-tech equipment, the “mom-and-pop” fire department either must merge with other departments to form one entity capable of handling the job or remove itself from service. Any department that cannot adequately staff its units with trained personnel should not be allowed to remain in service.
As long as the fire service remains divided over the subject of minimum staffing, progress is impossible. It is at times like this that the fire service needs to pull together and make the statement that the safety of firefighters across the country is more important than economics. As long as there are chiefs who will sacrifice firefighter safety and health for economic reasons, the idea that firefighters are an expendable resource will persist.
Kevin M. Schroeder
Firefighter
Cloquet (MN) Fire Department
Engine, ambulance needed
I am asking for help in locating a newer engine for the department in which I am a volunteer. Our municipality is bankrupt. We are in desperate need of a newer engine and ambulance. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me at 3N992 La Fox Road, St. Charles, IL 60175, (708) 377*7784, or fax (708) 377-0949. Thank you.
Michael R. Bear
EMI] CPR. First Aid Instructor, FF II
St. Charles, Illinois
Request for research aid
1 am a captain in the Philadelphia Fire Department and am presently completing the requirements for my master’s degree in public safety at St. Joseph’s University. The capstone of the program is an applied research study of an issue related to public safety. I have chosen the broad topic of “Leadership Development in the Fire Service.”
1 intend to study such issues as leadership and career development, promotional practices, educational incentive programs, and other related topics. If anyone has information on these issues or can supply copies of programs that their department uses, I would appreciate it if they would forward these materials to me at the following address: 3582 Teton Rd.; Philadelphia, PA 19154-1513; (215) 632-4407.
Joseph P. McCool
Captain
Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department