This month, I'd like to expand on several recent conversations with firefighters across the country. They have called to share their views on a wide variety of subjects that are directly affecting our fire world. As one reader quoted New York City's police commissioner, "There are 72 law enforcement agencies at the federal level," yet in stark contrast, there are no such fire service agencies to provide similar help in times of emergency.
New York City is facing multibillion-dollar budget cuts. The FDNY has been told to freeze civilian employee slots and reduce unspecified "nonessential" costs in an effort to trim its $1 billion budget. In mid-November, Mayor Michael Bloomberg unveiled a proposal to save $51 million by disbanding eight engine companies in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens and closing up to 20 companies at night. In addition, plans call for reducing the staffing of 49 engine companies from five to four firefighters, decreasing the number of ambulance crews on duty at night, eliminating some fire marshals; and ending the cadet program. Also, the latest recruit class was put on hold, even though nearly 1,000 members have already retired this year.
With the world's political climate still uncertain, more terrorist attacks are feared. The fire and emergency services must be prepared. Funds for equipment and training have been allocated to some departments, but there has been no funding for staffing. Congress was going to return from its Election Day recess to consider several bills for the fire service. Funding at the Senate level of $900 million or at the House level of $450 million was yet to be decided when this went to press. I urge you to write, telephone or e-mail your elected officials to tell them we desperately need the $900 million, if that issue hasn't been resolved when you read this.
In a related conversation, another topic of concern was raised by a reader who says the fire service must bring an end to its infighting. He says "we look like fools," and that this isn't the time to get sidetracked. We don't want to lose the funding that we so desperately deserve. We must stay united.
Hepatitis C, with no known cure, still affects many first responders. There's a need for a greater level of awareness of the dangers of this disease and of the precautions that must be taken to protect first responders. We've asked Contributing Editor and EMS columnist Gary Ludwig, who has reported on this deadly subject many times, to keep us and you informed on this most serious issue.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announced on Nov. 6 that a joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed by the USFA, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A key component of the MOU is the creation of metropolitan-area Incident Management Teams, with regional overhead capabilities to assist in major operations.
"Recent events have demonstrated clearly, the fire service can no longer think of responding to emergencies just in their own communities," U.S. Administrator R. David Paulison said. "Throughout the United States, fire departments are increasingly being asked to assist each other in order to protect American citizens. When multiple fire departments work together at an emergency scene, issues of command structure, communications, and personnel safety must be coordinated."
Following the McKinsey Report, the FDNY is working on mutual aid with neighboring areas. The State of New Jersey is working with the FDNY to determine manning, dispatching of response teams and other procedures in the event of a large-scale emergency. At one time, it was unusual to respond on mutual aid out of your community, but with the advent of rapid intervention teams, those responses are more common. Now that units have even responded out of state, nothing is impossible. Remember, the Urban Search and Rescue task forces respond nationwide and also on an international basis. During this year's wildfire season, firefighters from Canada and Australia were used to bolster overworked U.S. fire crews.
The days of the neighborhood fire company are history for some. "East Side, West Side, all around the town," was what the FDNY said when it was hit with several multiple alarms at the same time in the same geographic area.
