I recently traveled up and down the West Coast. EMS is certainly one of the predominate themes among members of the fire service. Each department has its own specific target hazards and potential fire problems. Growth in many of these communities is skyrocketing. Increased response to specialized emergencies has translated into additional Urban Search and Rescue units being added and deployed. Two-in/two-out requirements and rapid intervention teams have meant additional units dispatched to a working fire.
To keep up with the demand for more service and coverage, many departments have plans to add stations. Some departments may even take over adjacent communities that require increased fire protection, but can’t afford the financial commitment.
Sometimes, firefighters can’t or don’t want to believe that responding to motor vehicle accidents, EMS calls and other non-fire emergencies is what keeps them in business. The bottom line is that without these types of incidents there would be even less fire protection than there is now. You can bet your bottom dollar on that. The budget people will see to that. In this issue, Hal Bruno reports on the House amendment that earmarks $100 million in federal aid for local fire departments. It is not close to the $5 billion introduced in the FIRE Act, but it is better than nothing. Hal reports that Congress finally recognizes that the federal government has a responsibility to assist the nation’s firefighters – just as it does the police. Hal’s insights on the latest developments can be found in his column on page 18.
Following the deadly fire at Seton Hall University in which three students died and several others were injured, as well as other recent incidents involving student housing, we asked Frank Brannigan to examine dormitory fire safety. One college representative said the school will install sprinklers now, after the fact, whatever the cost. Great timing. Too late to save the people already dead and injured.
Also in this issue, Vincent Dunn describes the dangers of operating in and around vacant buildings, the scourge of the urban firefighter. The vacant storage building is the worst of all. For more in-depth information see Chief Dunn’s column on page 20.
A Challenge
As I stated above, I’ve just returned from the West Coast. Firehouse® exhibited and was involved with Fire Rescue West Show in San Jose, CA. The week before, we co-sponsored a conference in conjunction with the Seattle Fire Department Officers Association. There were quite a number of educational seminars held during each conference. Some attendees spoke of a lack of material in Firehouse® from the West Coast. I’ve been involved in this publication before the first issue was printed. If there is one thing I have learned, it is that we are to be representative of each state across the country. Each year, we receive hundreds of manuscripts and photos from the 50 states and Canada. We pick a varied selection of photos for our Hot Shots, Progress Reports and Fire Fronts sections, but we can’t publish a report of a fire or a photo from an incident from a certain state if we don’t have it. Many people contend we don’t print information from their states. That’s untrue in many cases, but I wonder if they ever sent any information, newspaper clippings, tips, photos or manuscripts to us.
We receive many, many articles, photos and ideas. Sometimes, readers are upset because their submission did not appear in the next issue. We wish we could publish every item that is sent to us, but that’s impossible. We promise to continue to try hard to include a wide variety of material from across the country. “You have to be in it to win it,” says an ad for the lottery in one state – if you don’t submit it, we can’t print it.
Firehouse® To Share CFSI Award
We are pleased to report that the Congressional Fire Services Institute has designated Firehouse® Magazine as a co-recipient of the CFSI Fire Service Organization of the Year Award. We share this honor with Fire Chief, Fire Engineering and Fire-Rescue magazines.
In notifying us of the award, CFSI Executive Director William M. Webb wrote, “Each of the four publications has done outstanding work in informing their readers about federal fire service initiatives. You have all made conscious efforts to feature in your publications press releases from the national fire groups, including CFSI, about news emanating from Capitol Hill. But a clearer sign of your passion and interest emanates from your own articles. I read them assiduously and often share them with members of Congress and their staff.”
