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SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Tears flowed as Firehouse World opened here Tuesday morning as attendees remembered Harvey Eisner.
Eisner, longtime editor-in-chief of Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse World show director, died in October. He was 59.
San Diego Chief Javier Mainar said he enjoyed sharing stories with Eisner, adding that he was confident that he was watching over the show.
The crowd of thousands was silent as a tribute video containing special remembrances was played. A number of fire service veterans shared memories as the photos played.
As Retired FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka rang 5-5-5, the crowd rose, and many wiped away tears.
"Harvey Eisner to me would best be described as the QUIET GIANT of the American fire service. Harvey’s actions and demeanor epitomized that of a quiet leader, one whose success was not based on ego, and physical force, but rather his thoughts and actions," said Tim Sendlebach, Firehouse Editor-in-Chief.
An emotional Sendlebach continued: "Chief Harvey J. Eisner, you will not be forgotten, my friend. And on behalf of the tens of thousands of firefighters from around the world that you touched throughout career; we thank you for all you’ve done; your work and your tutelage have set a course for generations. You truly are a QUIET GIANT whose voice will forever be heard..."
He announced that next year’s Firehouse World will be a global conference with more unique training opportunities. There will be no borders or barriers.
"...Today, I stand before you as the Editor-in-Chief, with the guidance of my friend Harvey and I vow to you that we will build this brand for the future. We will challenge firefighters from coast to coast, we will encourage, facilitate and moderate debates pertaining to the critical issues, we will honor our proudest traditions and we will proudly serve America’s Bravest..."
Sendlebach added: “Harvey was all about the ‘wow’ factor. He loved photos…And I vow to continue that ‘wow’ factor.”
He added that it’s his desire to portray a success on the cover.
An emotional LA County Battalion Chief Derek Alkonis remembered the longtime editor, mentor and fire chief.
“We certainly miss Mr. Harvey Eisner, for his zeal for all things fire service education. His brilliant writing that many of us were brought up reading will never be replaced.”
During his keynote address, Alkonis said he and other veterans have witnessed significant changes. Among the new things are mobile display terminals, cell phones, thermal imaging cameras.
He recalled the days when only the captain had a portable radio and smoking in the fire stations was commonplace.
“If firefighters can’t embrace the changes that improve firefighting or other new life saving techniques, it’s not the business that dies. It’s people. Sometimes, it's our own people.”
It bothers him to hear someone say that they won’t change the way they’ve been doing things even though research and experiments suggest otherwise.
“If our personal opinions act as blinders so we are unwilling to evaluated performance, it can be dangerous.”
He said it’s essential that firefighters have the skills necessary “to solve a myriad of problems when the bell sounds…”
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