FIRE bill
Nick Russo
Chief
Hull (MA) Department of Fire/Rescue and Emergency Services
“Because We`re Worth It” (Editor`s Opinion, April 1999) was right on target. H.R. 1168, Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act filed by Congressman Bill Pas-crell, Jr., could be the most important fire/rescue/emergency services initiative since Ben Franklin saw the need for fire protection. But are we ready to win this fight? Or, as in so many instances in the past, will we be satisfied to simply stay on the perimeter so as to remain politically correct?
Passage of H.R. 1168 will take something that we do not have–the ability to cooperate, communicate, and compromise with each other. The U.S. fire/rescue/emergency services are divided–splintered throughout a spectrum of job classifications, trade organizations, and a list of “experts” long enough to fill the Yellow Pages. Each is convinced that his way will lead us to the light. We have the “power”–one can argue that. But can we come together long enough to effectively use our power? Nothing short of an all-out effort will lead to the passage of the Pascrell Bill. It will take hard, relentless work, and it will take leadership. The IAFC has an opportunity to provide that leadership. Congressman Pascrell and his 82 [Editor`s note: Currently, 140] co-sponsoring colleagues have opened the door. If we fail to seize this opportunity, we also fail those who will follow us. It`s time to move to the front of the line.
