This year, the fire service has had many ups and downs, as it typically has. Some highs and lows, some great days and some disappointments. We are in the "worst day of their lives" business, says Mesa, AZ, Fire Chief Dennis Compton.
As we mark the first anniversary of the Worcester tragedy, remembering the devastating effects of a fire in which six firefighters were killed, we understand that for many the healing will take a long time. The NIOSH report was just released. Charges against the people who were in the building when the fire started were recently dropped. Appeals are being made to reinstate the charges.
Despite our efforts to promote firefighter safety, numerous other firefighters across the country were killed in the line of duty in a variety of ways. Several of these deaths occurred as firefighters battled during one of the worst fire seasons to strike our wildlands in recent history. Because of policies developed over decades, many of America's forests have become overgrown. For instance, in areas near Los Alamos, NM, there were not the recommended 150 trees per acre - there were 1,300 trees per acre.
Prescribed burns intended to remove dense fuel are often difficult to complete. Complaints, lawsuits, home construction and weather conditions can create difficulties. After running out of resources and having to rely on unheard-of out-of-country mutual aid during the height of the wildfires last summer, plans are now being developed for implementation to contend with the wildland problem over the next 50 years. Ironically, just as I was writing this editorial, I was notified of a line-of-duty death from the FDNY.
The leaders of the American fire service, organizations as well as individuals, along with our political connections, battled to have new billion-dollar fire service legislation passed. I like to compare the legislative process to taking an airline flight - you sometimes have to battle traffic, wait in line, deal with delays and gate changes, then everything looks great, it should be smooth sailing, you are upgraded to first class - and then the flight is canceled.
There has been much work done on this fire service legislation with so many ups and downs, delays, changes and disappointments, but that's what they call politics. After the legislation had passed both the Senate and the House, there was no appropriation of funds. "Maybe next year," the politicians said.
We wanted $5 billion over five years and were promised $400 million. Last month, I wrote "It might not be what the fire service wanted, but it is a beginning." At press time, we don't even have that.
Maybe next year. See Hal Bruno's Fire Politics column on page 16 for an update.
As I travel across the country, I find that the one key element that ties the fire service together, money or no money, is the need for training at all levels on a wide variety of topics. The need for education has never been so apparent.
We at Firehouse® reaffirm our commitment to provide the best in training information to our readers. You may not all agree with every technique and viewpoint that we present, but we have tried and will continue to deliver the most current, up-to-date training information available in the magazine, at our conferences and on our website.
We bring to you the most experienced leaders and teachers from across the country who are eager to share their knowledge and experience. The key to safe fireground operations is training, and vital to training is the sharing of knowledge. Why try to reinvent the wheel when you don't have to?
An update on the Fire Rescue West Conference in San Jose, CA: We are pleased to be offering two days of pre-conference hands-on training on Sunday and Monday, Feb. 4 and 5 , 2001. For more details log on to www.firerescuewest.com.
