Answering Fire Service Critics

[Guest]

FireEMSAlpha.com is proud to announce our latest addition to our team of writers, District Chief David B. Reeves.

District Chief David B. Reeves is a 34-year veteran of the Syracuse Fire Department, and will be recognized to many fire service professionals by his "electronic alter-ego", Fyreline. A New York State Certified Fire Instructor, Chief Reeves is also Chairman of the SFD's Apparatus Advisory Committee responsible for design, specification and acceptance of all SFD apparatus. The Syracuse Fire Department holds an ISO Class One rating.

His premiere article on FireEMSAlpha.com is now posted, entitled "Answering Fire Service Critics"

We encourage you to check it out, http://www.fireemsalpha.com

[x635 4,066]

I think a lot of these critics are ignorant. I feel, in some ways, thats part of the FD's fault for not educating the citizens enough about their local FD. Of course, some people like to be anti-anything, but we do play a role.

It's things like http://www.lafd.blogspot.com that are great. Let's the community know whats going on with THEIR local FD, and that we're actually out there doing stuff.

Nice piece.

[Guest]

You bring up a good point: The days of firefighters trying to stay silent on the sidelines are over. Those in the fire service who have prided themselves on being non-political need to wake up to the fact that their jobs exist in a political arena. We need to be pro-active. This not only includes keeping the public (our real bosses) aware of what we're doing, but also in speaking out on issues that affect our work and our workplace. Whether it be critics, indifference or ignorance . . . silence is tacit approval. Speak up, speak out, and speak the truth.