The title above can be found under the word Firehouse® on the cover of each issue. Even though it's in small print, it carries a serious message.
Founding Editor Dennis Smith said in his first editorial that he felt a need for a national magazine to serve the interests of firefighters. Smith said Firehouse® is your magazine and by sharing information with firefighters across the country you might just help prevent another fire or save another life.
It is hard to believe 20 years have gone by so fast. A short but colorful career. Putting this 20th anniversary issue together was a unique opportunity. Having to go through each and every page to select the material to highlight each year was an experience by itself to see all the stories, articles and photos on fires, disasters, prevention, tactics and strategy all by a truly remarkable list of contributors. With hundreds of articles, thousands of photos, glimpses of collections of memorabilia and detailed reports on recent and past tragedies, we've come a long way as a magazine and as a fire service.
There have been many changes in recent years and we've tried to keep up with this fast-paced, always developing world. From the $113 million K-Mart warehouse fire, at that time the largest dollar loss fire in one building in the United States to the $1.5 billion wildland fire in Oakland Hills, CA, fire has taken its toll in every corner of the country. Whether it was the Buffalo propane explosion that killed five firefighters or the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in Puerto Rico that killed 98 people, Firehouse® has been there. Firefighters expect Firehouse® to report on serious issues and incidents affecting the fire service and we've tried to fill that bill.
I would like to thank everyone who has had something to do with the magazine past editors, assistant editors, editorial assistants, art directors, and our special group of contributing editors and correspondents. Also, the thousands of the members of the fire service who contributed articles and photos that have come from every corner of the country.
A special thanks to the PTN Publishing Co., Group Publisher and Director of Advertising Bruce T. Bowling, who has been with the magazine from its inception, and the present staff, Executive Editor Jeff Barrington, Editorial Assistant Marisa E. Campbell, Advertising Assistant Marti Glennon, Production Manager Hope Fitch Mickiewicz, Midwest Advertising Manager Mike Kleeblatt, Classified Advertising Representative Patty Ivanov and, for making it all look so good, Art Director Tricia McGoey.
A special thanks to our advertisers and Heroism Awards sponsors who have supported us over the years. I would be remiss if I didn't thank Chief Gary Frederick and the combined Firehouse Expo committee from the Baltimore City and Baltimore County fire departments who have always risen to the task in helping bring together a successful show each year.
And last but not least to the subscribers to the magazine. Without your constant interest and support we could not have made it to the position that we hold in the fire service. Thank you.
