Sing a Song for Safety

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I enjoyed this so much I had to share. Great music production! Visit Ben Walker’s site at ihatemornings.com.

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How are you celebrating?

I was asked several times this week what I was doing to “celebrate” fire prevention week. I replied, “nothing.” Of course, this reply often raises eyebrows and suspicions as to my professionalism. I find it exhausting to explain my philosophy each time the question is asked, but I do feel that my story needs telling.

First of all, fire prevention week is NOT a celebration. It has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. The conflagration killed more than 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed countless buildings and homes.* A bit more than forty years after the event President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed the first national fire prevention week, October 4-10, 1925. Since then the National Fire Protection Association has endeavored to continue the tradition.

Coolidge, with some wisdom and sympathy, had realized that more than 15,000 persons per year were dying from fires in the U.S. He called this situation “startling.” Coolidge stated,

“This waste results from the conditions which justify a sense of shame and horror; for the greater part of it could and ought to be prevented… It is highly desirable that every effort be made to reform the conditions which have made possible so vast a destruction of the national wealth”.

And, in all respects I agree absolutely with his sentiment. I don’t, however, believe that a single week should be the focus of the efforts to prevent these devastating fires.

Corporate convenience

Each October I receive more phone calls asking for fire department participation for events, tours, corporate “community days” and special events than I can possibly accommodate. Most of the requests come last minute, as people have realized that their corporation calendar shows “Fire Prevention Week.”

Sadly, I find that most of these last minute requests are [often] feeble attempts for companies and organizations to show their “community spirit.” They want to show their “neighbors” how much they care. So, obviously, the best thing to do is to invite the big red fire trucks to come to their parking lot to draw attention to their business. Perhaps to pull some people in off the street that hadn’t been there in awhile — or at all. Unfortunately, I’ve realized throughout the twenty years that there is little interest by the public to stop by for some free safety literature and a look at the truck. There are a handful of parents and kids at each of these events… and there is an attempt by the fire department personnel to provide education when possible. But overall, it is a very thin smokescreen for sales building.

And in the areas where fire departments do not have the budget or staff to provide year-round education, this is their attempt at providing “something” to help educate the public. Unfortunately, there is little that can be done (besides the obvious public relations benefit to the agency) to educate the public about safety in such a short period of time. Very few of these fire prevention week activities provide quality education that has residual and retentive benefit.

Because It’s Fire Prevention Week!

During my twenty years in the fire service, I have taught more than 8,600 children per year, more than 1,000 adults each year, and have provided more messages about fire safety than I could possibly count. I work constantly at providing enough education throughout the year to maintain the messages throughout the community. There is NO way that a week of fire prevention messages would ever enable me to accomplish this task. And there is no reason that anyone should limit their focus on preventing fires to only one week each year.

Yet, I get constant requests (a day or week before Fire Prevention Week) for the fire department to visit local daycares, preschools, companies and businesses. They think of it just before the week starts — and then get angry or disappointed that we can’t provide the service.

Keeping up with the schedule

I schedule each of my classes well in advance. The department has long maintained a policy of 30 days notice for any request. My school programs start in September — and they are typically scheduled by the end of the previous school year (in May). And, because the bulk of our tours and school programs happen in the fall, they coincidentally fall during October. This leaves little room for me to schedule additional activities.

A few years ago a local preschool became very angry with me that I would not come to their school and that I would not bring a fire engine during fire prevention week. They called me three days in advance. They explained that “we are an accredited school and should be given the same opportunity as other schools!” I agreed. I told them to follow the same procedures that the other schools followed to be added to the schedule. I told them that I would be glad to put them in the calendar if they filled out the appropriate forms and submitted them at least 30 days prior to their requested date.

They were so angry that they went to the mayor to complain. The mayor went to the fire chief and the chief to me. All for the sake of providing a fire engine for a visit to “celebrate fire prevention week.” They explained that their corporation ‘requires’ them to have the fire department visit that week. I asked, “what if the fire department is unavailable?” I wondered what happens when the fire department has an emergency and has to divert their crews from the detail. Does the corporation CLOSE the affiliated school? Highly unlikely.

Take precautions and check your safety regularly

I don’t agree with Fire Prevention Week as a concept, but do understand why it exists. I think we have failed to realize the real focus of the message, though. Instead of thinking about fire safety as a grandiose catch-phrase each October, we should be planning and practicing our fire safety skills throughout the year.

When is the last time that you and your family actually PRACTICED a home fire drill? Have you gone through the motions? Are you one of the people that uses excuses to justify the lack of practice? Believe me I have heard them all over the last twenty years:

• It’s not going to happen to us
• We’re too busy
• We already know what to do
• It’s a waste of time
• That’s what insurance is for
• How hard can it be?

And many, many more. I can easily give you the responses to these excuses, but I’ll save that for another writing. Let’s just put it this way… “Just because you think you know what to do doesn’t mean you can really do it.”

It has been proven that the acts of planning and actually PRACTICING home fire drills can save more lives. I encourage you to do this. Not just during fire prevention week, but at least two or three times each year. Don’t know how? Check out the easy steps available at the Home Safety Council.

Footnote

*Tragically, the worst recorded forest fire in North American history raged through Northeastern Wisconsin (Peshtigo) and Upper Michigan at the same time the fire was burning in Chicago. This fire destroyed millions of dollars worth of property and timberland, and took between 1,200 and 2,400 lives. But, because the Peshtigo fire didn’t include a legend of a cow and lantern, it seems to have faded into general obscurity.

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The sheep are bleeting

I know that I’ve spent some time recently expressing my political views. Some people ignore my views because I am a Libertarian and they don’t think “it counts.”

I’ve been very disturbed by attitudes of the ’sheeple’ in the U.S. lately. The flock is bleeting about their woes, but they don’t seem to be able to run from the wolf. They just stand in the pasture and watch the same old things happen. And, to me, the wolf is closer and closer, yet they just stand there.

Redistributing the message

So, I continue to try to share the messages that show there are alternatives. I don’t claim to be a shepherd trying to rescue the flock; I only want to share some options for people to consider.

The message that I’m including in this post is from Russ Verney, Bob Barr’s campaign advisor. With all that is happening in the U.S. right now, I think it NEEDs to be reposted. I received this letter in my email this morning.

Russ Verney message

Yesterday’s vote in Congress confirms to me that only Bob Barr is in touch with the American people, and both the Democrats and Republicans are following Bob’s lead!

The New York Times reports:

But a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, “We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions. . .”

And the highly read Politico.com slams both McCain and Obama saying:

There was, however, one presidential “contender” who got on the right side of this issue: former Georgia Congressman Bob Barr. Barr called today’s bill “the bailout from hell ” and warned it would make Henry Paulson “an economic dictator, empowered to reengineer [sic] the economy as he sees fit.”

Of course, it isn’t just Bob Barr who scored major political points yesterday, it was redemption for the American people when the vote - which wasn’t even close - went against Wall Street and in favor of average Americans.

Many of Bob supporters - old and new - took a moment to show their appreciation for this initiative by making generous gifts to the campaign yesterday and today. (Perhaps you would like to join now with a gift to keep the pressure on. Thanks!)

But of course, the powerful corporate special interests, with both of Bob’s opponents backing them in the Senate, aren’t going to give up. The Bush administration continues in their efforts to scare Americans and convince them that only his bill can provide salvation for our economy.

Another vote is going to come, and it may be within the next 48 hours, or sooner.

To appease a few interests, they are likely to make some cosmetic change but the bottom line is that it will still be a bad bill — and taxpayers are going to be soaked with $700 Billion in bailout funds for Wall Street. And when a Treasury Department official was asked by Forbes.com how this amount was chosen, the response: “It’s not based on any particular data point. We just wanted to choose a really large number.”

We must not retreat in our opposition to this outrageous scheme. Today Bob is giving speeches on the campaign trail and he is drawing larger crowds, greater enthusiasm, and the media is taking notice. Just as the New York Times acknowledged, only Bob Barr’s approach to fiscal sanity will work.

I encourage you to keep up the heat. Call your Representative in Congress. If they voted the right way, thank them and encourage them to hold the line. If they voted wrong, turn up the heat and grant them a chance to change their mind.

Next, I ask you to help me fund the next stage of this important campaign. We have a radio ad ready for national distribution and plans for TV commercials as well. Your gift will help us spread the word that there is an alternative to the Bush-McCain-Obama Wall Street bailout. Any amount is a big help, but a gift of $50 or $100 goes a long way.

Thanks.

Sincerely,
Russell Verney
Campaign Manager
Bob Barr for President

P.S. - By the way, I personally believe that this is just the beginning of a very bad trend. First there was money for Bear Stearn and AIG. Then home mortgage payouts of $300 Billion and $25 Billion for the auto Industry this year (and another $25 Billion for next year). Next, $200 Billion to clean up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and now $700 billion for big banks and Wall Street moguls. Who else will be “bailed out?” Some are suggesting that $700 Billion may just be a down payment for Wall Street. Others needing “bailouts” include local and state governments. Have you noticed how state and local bureaucrats are crying about a decline in revenue? Mark my word, they will seek bailout protection, too.

To donate by mail:

Barr 2008 Presidential Committee
P.O. Box 725007
Atlanta, GA 31139

To donate by phone:

Call 1-800-Bob-Barr

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Providing public information during emergency response

Today my department responded to a house fire. This fire was very extensive. There are indications that the house may be totally lost. This, of course, will be determined following the investigation by fire investigators and insurance representatives.

Several news agencies were on scene at this fire. I was asked to respond to cover the public information aspect of the situation. I received information from the fire chief and proceeded to give statements to the area television and newspaper reporters on scene.

Media typically responsible and ethical

Typically, I am very pleased with these agencies. They do a fine job of reporting information as it is received. The relationships that we have developed over the years have been effective and realistic. However, today I find that one news agency has failed in its reporting. At least in the reporting that is provided on the agency web site. I have not seen the television coverage as yet, so I do not know if they may have made mistakes there, as well.

Shoddy reporting

Here is the information provided on the WHIO web site:

Did Restored Power Cause House Fire?

A woman in Washington Township got a call Wednesday afternoon, telling her that her house was on fire.

Authorities said a letter carrier on his daily route spotted the smoke while he was dropping off the mail on Viewpoint Drive.

Neighbors were shocked. Jean Mindlin said, “I’ve lived here 46 years, never seen a fire, period.”

Neighbor Darlene Mehbod said, “It’s very sad.”

It’s also the timing of the fire that has neighbors and firefighters concerned.

Rich Palmer of the Washington Twp. Fire Department said, “They had restored power to 1210 and 1240.”

According to Palmer, “You could have overheated chords, circuts plugged in surge when power comes on.”

The home was a total loss.

Falling down on the job

This is some of the worst reporting and coverage that I’ve noticed. The quotes attributed to me are paraphrased so poorly they make absolutely no sense. I stated that the power had been restored at 12:10 (as in p.m.). I then stated that the fire was reported to the fire department at 12:40 (p.m.).

There are typographical errors in the final attribution. And the information is misleading and taken completely out of context. I stated several times that this fire is under investigation and that the cause was yet undetermined. When the reporter asked what “might happen” when power is restored to a home after an outage, I mentioned that I could not speculate what ‘might happen.’

I advised that fires can start for a variety of reasons. In a very general manner, I cautioned that when residents finally have power restored that they should turn things on very gradually in their home. I mentioned that many things left on could cause some problems in the home if power is suddenly restored — such as overheated circuits, systems running at half phase, and too much current draw that might damage electronics in the home. The simple statement given online by this particular news agency is confusing, out of context, and potentially misleading.

I believe that news stations should hold themselves to the same standards of reporting on their web sites as they do in their newscasts. THIS example is a poor reflection of their capabilities.

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