DON’T TAKE THE CHANCE
I enjoy reading the articles in Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment. They provide a wealth of information to folks everywhere. I wish I had time to sit and write articles on topics addressing the rural community such as maintenance. The bigger cities have more opportunity and money and are most likely to find the most qualified people to work on the apparatus. Trying to find those people in rural America is hard.
I read Chris Mc Loone’s October 2012 Editor’s Opinion, “Never Ignore the Signs,” a few times hoping to read something I missed. But I didn’t.
I have been a mechanic for more than 36 years and a firefighter for more than 25 years. Of course, over the years I have done a few crazy things, like driving a vehicle with little or no brakes. But, this was only a short distance to get it into the shop, probably less than 50 feet-still not right! However, considering today’s times and lawsuit-happy people, I would never attempt this.
I found it disturbing to see that as an officer he would have allowed a heavy piece of equipment that is owned by taxpayers and carries the lives of firefighters to be driven with “problem” brakes.
This vehicle should have been placed out of service as soon as the driver realized something was wrong with the brakes. Those brakes rely on the springs within the chamber to stop the vehicle. Based on what I read, I believe the spring broke, thus not allowing the pressure needed to stop the vehicle. If the weather conditions had been anything other than dry, the vehicle most likely would have wandered into a ravine; curb; lane; or, worse, oncoming traffic. It’s not worth the risk to attempt to save money vs. a possible preventable accident.
Call out a mechanic to inspect and repair or for a tow.
Stephen Zielezinski
Somonauk (IL) Fire Department
ASE Master, Automotive and Truck
EVT Master, Ambulance and Fire Apparatus
WILDFIRES A NATIONAL PROBLEM
We are truly a nation of outdoor people, considering all the money Americans spend annually on sports bottles, coffee thermoses, and outdoor apparel. Americans who support the fire service are entitled to excellent protection from wildfire.
During my 28-year association with the fire service, I have noticed many truck committees don’t do their homework on one critical facet of fire apparatus design and construction-vehicle ground clearance.
I very much enjoyed the July article on wildland apparatus. Kudos and bravo are also due to Chief Richard Marinucci for telling us not to be complacent with our wildfire capabilities-have annual refresher training.
Unfortunately, many of 2012’s wildfires have been caused by lightning, with a few caused by vandals.
During the late 1990s, arsonists were unfortunately at work in the Long Island, New York, pine barrens. Custom pumpers pumped thousands of gallons onto such wildfires in an effort to douse them.
Nowadays on Long Island, they use a team approach to avoid arson within their woodlands. Everyone, from the officer on his patrol bicycle all the way up to the judiciary, has a role to play-including fire officials-to thwart this awful menace to society of arsonists intentionally setting fire to nature’s beauty.
What’s on the horizon for this great journal? I expect to see more great articles featured on this important issue of wildfire.
David Titus
Firefighter (Ret.)
North Haven (CT) Fire Department
