Editorial: The Smoke Is Clearing...

The recent 14th annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner hosted by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the CFSI National Steering Committee was held in Washington, D.C. The guest speaker was President George W. Bush, who was welcomed with a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. President Bush talked about the raw courage of firefighters, then he mentioned the $3.5 billion Homeland Security budget proposal for the nation's first responders. The President said, "We must prepare our country for whatever emergency may come and commit new resources to train and equip our firefighters, police and EMS crews all around the country."

It was refreshing to hear not only President Bush, but all the leaders of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus praise the fire service and mourn the tremendous loss it incurred in the past year. For so many years, our stalwart group of defenders of the fire service has fought so many battles, resolved differences between factions and organizations, and worked for the common good of the fire service against budget cuts at the National Fire Academy and for funding for programs to help the fire service.

The sleeping giant of a political fire service force finally woke up and started to move in a concerted effort. It took a long time, but 9/11 propelled a nation to focus on the fire service in a different light. For many years, a few individuals and organizations continued to lobby lawmakers on behalf of the fire service to help firefighters and civilians alike. After 9/11, the lobbying of the fire service was appreciated in a new way. We couldn't have done it without the support of political leaders on many levels. It just goes to show what can happen when you stick to your beliefs.

We have entered a new era and must remain a player in the big game. Remember, when the experts panic, they call the fire department. They always have and they always will. During the nation's bicentennial in 1976, the FDNY sponsored a program in which members stationed at each firehouse could paint a patriotic theme on the firehouse door. Several categories were judged. I remember one at the quarters of Engine 206 in Brooklyn: "200 Years and Still Minutemen." In the same neighborhood, Tower Ladder 124 has a saying inscribed on its wall of unit citations: "When the fire is raging and there is someone to save, only then do we know lonely are the brave."

Speaking of the brave, two firefighters, Captain Derek Martin and Captain Robert Morrison, both 11-year veterans of the St. Louis Fire Department and assigned to Rescue 1, were fatally injured May 3 after entering a building to search for a firefighter who became disoriented during a four-alarm fire. It appears they went back to get him and they also became lost in the building. The line-of-duty deaths were the department's first since 1977.

Our sincere condolences to the firefighters, their families and the department. Donations can be made to The BackStoppers, an organization that has been serving the families of firefighters and police officers in the St. Louis area who have perished in the line of duty since 1959 (www.backstoppers.org). If you would like to make a donation, write a check payable to The BackStoppers and mail it to P.O. Box 7717, Chesterfield, MO 63006.