The photo at left captures the funeral procession of Los Angeles City Fire Department Captain Joseph Dupee, Engine 57, who was killed in the line of duty, March, 1998. He was the first LA City firefighter to die in nearly 14 years. Tragically, three more LA City members died a few weeks later in the crash of a fire department helicopter. These men were trying to save the life of an accident victim when the chopper went down. Apparently, during the emergency descent the pilot was able to guide the craft away from homes, thus saving the lives of people on the ground.
Recent nationwide discussions and debates have really stirred the pot in regard to training, funding and preparation for terrorist attacks. We hope that firefighters, who would be called first to any such attack, won't be killed or injured responding to terrorism incidents without the benefit of proper training, funding and equipment. U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno spoke recently before the annual Congressional Fire Service Institute dinner and gave hope that the fire service would be included and trained every step of the way. New Jersey Congressman Rob Andrews stated that if the fire service responds first, it should be funded first. As you may or may not know, many law enforcement agencies are looking for their piece of the pie - and they're very, very hungry. The National Fire Academy is currently working on programs to educate firefighters in dealing with terrorism.
Speaking of the National Fire Academy and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), we note the 25th anniversary of the day the America Burning report, prepared by the National Board of Fire Prevention and Control, was submitted to President Nixon. That report was the basis for the establishment of the U.S. Fire Administration and the eventual development of the National Fire Academy. As Hal Bruno has reported many times in his Fire Politics column, the fight to fund the academy and its far-reaching programs has for many years been like guerrilla warfare, fighting an unseen enemy.
James Lee Witt, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will convene a blue-ribbon panel to look at the problems surrounding USFA, the academy and recommend whatever is needed to make things right.
We need to support the function and the purpose of the National Fire Academy at all costs. This institution is ours. Anyone who ever attended the academy can vouch for the positive effects its programs have on our fire service and the public we protect. Now is the time to ask your elected officials to support the National Fire Academy and allow it to grow and serve our needs better than ever.
While attending a recent program at the academy, I visited the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. One FDNY firefighter was killed a few days before I arrived at the academy, and a notice of his death was posted at the memorial. Before I left for home, another notice, of the death of a Maryland firefighter, was posted. It's a life-and-death struggle each and every day. We need the National Fire Academy's help to guide the way.
Dr. Denis Onieal, the superintendent of the National Fire Academy, will speak at the opening ceremonies at Firehouse Emergency Services Expo '98 in Baltimore on July 16. Dr. Onieal, an educator and former Jersey City, NJ, deputy fire chief, has been in the trenches and has the support of fire and rescue organizations from all over the country. If the academy could ever get the resources and funding it deserves, Dr. Onieal will get it on the right track. and make sure positive things happen.
