I’ll help train city firefighters

I’m a veteran firefighter with 30 years’ experience in fire service. I’m credited in the development of the fire-service training for West Virginia University.

It’s been weeks since the Dispatch ran the series on firefighter health and safety and the open house held by the Columbus Division of Fire. But judging from TV news footage and newspaper photographs, it doesn’t appear to have done much good. Each film clip or photo I view, I see safety violations, even by officers and chiefs. Why would officers expect a firefighter to wear his or her protective turnout gear or air pack properly or use a tool properly when they aren’t doing so themselves? I see firefighters on roofs with smoke pouring out or up in the bucket not wearing their air pack among billowing smoke.

I can’t imagine all these chiefs, officers and firefighters can be so ignorant on safety. So it must be that Columbus and other fire departments are so very lax on safety violations and shortcuts that they just don’t care. In one recent Dispatch, I saw seven safety violations that would result in discipline or suspension in my department. I suggest Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and city council consider a replacement city safety director and change in leadership for the department, or at the very least some remedial training.

I suggest an outside agency review the department’s procedures and safety program. I’ll volunteer my time to hold safety training for the department. Proper use of gear and tools and following good common-sense safety practice will reduce risks and prevent injuries, illnesses or worse. Williamsport