Editorial: The Wide, Wide World Of Firefighting, Search & Rescue

In this issue we feature an exclusive interview with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and Associate Attorney General Ray Fisher. This interview deals with two topics of great concern to firefighters and their fire departments - terrorism and radio spectrum. Now that the possibility exists for more bloodshed after the recent bombings of two U.S. embassies, concerns about funding and training for terrorism response make these topics more important to America's Bravest than ever before. The interview begins on page 34. Speaking of terrorism response, the Fairfax County, VA, Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, Virginia TF-1 (63 personnel in total), was dispatched to Africa after the bombings at the U.S. embassies. Apparently the team was ready to go, but had to wait 16 hours for air transport to the scene thousands of miles away. The flight to Kenya took 17 1/2 hours. After arriving in Kenya and making an assessment, the task force was split into two teams, night and day. They spent 84 hours along with French and Israeli teams searching the remains of the embassy and surrounding buildings, finding 100 bodies. The team returned to Andrews Air Force Base 10 days later. These specially trained firefighters practice regularly to hone their skills and work with the latest technology available in rescue equipment for the inevitable, but this time, sadly, there was no one to save.

When it comes to training, Firehouse® strives to provide the latest information each month and pass along the expertise of our contributing editors. These firefighters do it each and every day. We are pleased to announce a four-day hands-on training seminar in conjunction with the Suffolk County, NY, Fire Academy Oct. 15-18, 1998. For information and to register, please call 516-845-2700, ext. 243.

California, hot and dry, is preparing for Santa Ana winds. Western states are heating up. Texas has suffered for months with record high temperatures. Many of these states have battled dozens of fires lately and the worst is yet to come. Numerous homes were destroyed by wildfires in the area near Riverside, CA, recently. Florida is developing plans for future wildland disasters. The governor said he didn't have any fire service representation on his state disaster preparedness board. That has been changed as they think about hurricane season and a repeat of next year's dry season.

Last month, I was in St. Louis for a meeting with many fire service organizations. While we were there, the St. Louis Cardinals were playing the Chicago Cubs. I couldn't help but notice that as Mark McGwire was being interviewed during a press conference, he was wearing a Long Beach Fire Department T-shirt. Nice public relations coast to coast.

The time has come to submit nominees for the annual Firehouse® Heroism and Community Service Awards program. To obtain a nomination packet, please call 516-845-2700, ext. 230, or fax a request on department letterhead to 516-845-7109. Firehouse® and its sponsors provide the largest heroism program of its kind. If someone in your department has made a rescue or has undertaken a community service project, please nominate that person today.