There is something wrong with how we think about fires. The report into a fire that killed two firefighters in San Pablo, Calif., last year was released this month. As often is the case, staffing is cited as a factor in the LODDs. Final reports such as this, the one from Charleston and so many reports produced by NIOSH make me wonder if the report writing is more catharsis than call to action, more procedure than learning.

The world has changed and these are not the fire departments of our fathers. We have to deal with unprecedented call load and unprecedented technology. We have to deal with building construction that defies logic and we have to now be experts in terrorism.

The Chief Officers and Commissioners of the Crown Point Fire District in New York have taken extreme steps in all areas from annual physicals, fitness programs, intense training schedules for all firefighters (interior and exterior) using the accountability systems.

Being in a small town volunteer fire district, everyone going home safely after each and every call is the high point of the training and calls. Myself being the 1st Assistant Fire Chief and knowing the families of each of the fire and EMS personnel personally make Everyone Goes Home® more of a reality.

At each training session, officer's meeting and emergency call the Officer's of the Crown Point Fire District work had at doing their best in ensuring this.

Again being from a small town, we have started pre-planning building in the town starting with the businesses and then will go on to the residential areas. We feel that know the buildings better before an emergency strikes will help us when having to do interior searches.

On behalf of the Crown Point Fire District I would like to thank you for this opportunity in being part of your list and also a great program.

Respectfully,
Joseph E. Norton
1st Asst. Fire Chief
Crown Point Fire District (NY)

Interested in Becoming a Life Safety Initiatives Partner?

Lawrence William (Larry) Davis, Jr., 63, passed away August 3, 2008 at his home in Corpus Christi, TX. He was a noted fire service author, speaker, and instructor who taught thousands of fire fighters across America over his 40 years of service to the fire fighting community. His works and teachings were revered by many as "ahead of his time" and his impact on the American fire service - especially the rural community - was perhaps paralleled to none.