Firehouse.com

Let's take a look at some of the elements that make up the operation of a fire department. The first thing we need to explore is the facility itself. A fire department's facilities include buildings or areas for personnel, apparatus, equipment, and supplies; administrative offices; communication's functions; training facilities; and maintenance. In smaller organizations, these functions often are contained in one building; larger organizations, however, might use several facilities in different locations.

Let me begin by offering you my heartfelt best wishes for a safe and Happy New Years. Is it not amazing how quickly time flies my friends? Not only are we on the doorstep of a new year, we are about to begin the second decade of the 21st Century. But was it not just a day or two ago when we were all hoarding food and toilet paper in anticipation of the 'Y2K Disaster'? Yet here we still are. My does time pass rapidly when we are having fun.

We are approaching that day of great hope and expectation. On the 25th of December we will once again celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Many are the folks who would rather religion not be mentioned in our media.

My friends, rarely do I ever know on any given day exactly where my latest idea for a commentary will come from. Many times it is an example from one of my loyal, regular readers out there around the world. Sometimes a telling example comes roaring into my life from one of my three great children. At other times, my thoughts turn to a mistake I might happen to see in the world around me.

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 Over the past several years, I have seen a certain diminution in the level of fire protection that exists in a number of areas. I have seen this in communities of every size. I have seen this in career, and combination, as well as volunteer departments. Far too many appear to be taking a hit from their political and administrative leaders.

As an observer of the fire service scene, I have chosen to take a close look at the reasons why fire departments appear