Editorial: Never Say Never

In August, the northeastern United States suffered a series of blackouts that wreaked havoc over a large portion of the country. People were trapped in elevators, emergency generators ran short of fuel, traffic lights were out, and in the East most people left work at the same time, creating a traffic nightmare.

Almost immediately, fire and EMS crews were dispatched to various types of emergencies. In most areas that sustained a blackout, power was returned within 24 hours, although some sections had to wait over two days to return to normal. My department responded to about 45 calls over the two-day period, then a tremendous thunderstorm ripped through the area and triggered another 15 runs. Listening to the FDNY, dispatchers called for available units via roll call. When a unit became available, it was immediately sent on another emergency. It was common to hear a ladder company operating at an elevator emergency explaining to a dispatcher that it had heard several verbal alarms of people trapped in elevators in adjacent buildings. When a company completed each assignment, the dispatcher would then add the other addresses to the company's response list. Thousands of people were removed from elevators across the Northeast. Fire, EMS, police and dispatchers did an outstanding job in taking, processing and dispatching available units. These crews worked long and hard and without them, minor emergencies could have turned ugly very quickly. A tip of the helmet for a job well done.

The blackout created many problems that will now have to be addressed concerning communications, emergency generators and other related issues. It may even have been a good thing in a way, in that it exposed our shortfalls and can help us prepare for the future. Several dispatchers told me that when these types of incidents occur, generating numerous responses that outnumber resources, a list has to be compiled and companies are dispatched as they become available. Another possibility is that your computers may crash and you will have to track resources in other ways.

In 1965, when the Northeast suffered its first serious blackout, officials said it could never happen again. In 1977, I was on a fire rig in Brooklyn when the lights went out again. Minutes later, as we were eating by flashlight, we responded to a building fire. The officer transmitted three 10-75s (working fire, request for a full first-alarm assignment) at the same time - for the building we responded to, for a fire we passed on the way and for a fire right up the street from where the company was operating. Numerous fires burned across the city that night and the following day. Officials said it could never happen again.

On Aug. 14, I was working at Firehouse® Magazine when the lights went out. Minutes later, over my pager came the news that the East Coast was without power, ending our business day. Amazing but true, officials don't know what caused the problems or they are not saying. This time, though, they are saying it could happen again, because the system of electrical transmission lines is not up to date due to tremendous growth across the country. It will take $60 billion to upgrade. Who do you think is going to pay for the upgrade?

The President recently asked Congress for an additional $87 billion this year for the U.S. troops, rebuilding and other programs associated with Iraq. Domestic spending may have to be cut. Our never-ending battle to secure federal funds for the emergency services will likely be up for discussion in the year to come. I hope we get our share as domestic defenders.

In this issue we focus on volunteer and rural fire departments. On page 62, Steve Meyer details the operations of the Shanksville, PA, Volunteer Fire Department, which responded first due to the hijacked jet that crashed on 9/11/01. A very interesting read, as we find that large incidents do occur in small departments. Also in this issue, Ron Moore begins a six-part University of Extrication series dealing with "struck-by" line-of-duty deaths. This review of safety procedures when working in or near moving traffic is a must read for all responders; see page 27. Finally, on page 92 we explore the firefighter's role in preventing child-set fires. As you read this educational article, you will see that it is up to you to confront this problem. It isn't a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it happens every day nationwide. The fire service has the chance to reap real dividends for children, parents and the community if we choose to get involved.