FIREFIGHTING vs THE ENVIRONMENT

[Ladder Man]

Should environmental rules and regulations hinder firefighting operations, when LIFE and PROPERTY are at risk? Where do you draw the line?

[BucksEng91]

See the posts under the thread "Sickening..."

I think it's pretty obvious where most of us stand on this issue. People who will favor the safety of trout over the safety of humans are anti-human, anti-social, and border on sociopaths. There's no nicer way to say it.

[LadderCo13]

GOOD TOPIC! I was mad as HELL yesterday listening to the news reports about this CRIME! I think (if true) the Incident Commander, and who ever else was involved in the decision making process of with-holding resources from these FRONT LINE FIREFIGHTERS, should be held fully accountable. Worrying about your job when BROTHERS and SISTERS are in trouble IS A CRIME!!!

[INDY FIRE]

I agree! Anyone who has to stop and think about scooping up a couple fish vs saving lives and property is not worthy of being in a command position! This is a no brainer! And to all the TREE HUGGERS out there, be thankful that I'm a gentleman and recognize this forum as Rated PG.

[INDY FIRE]

Here is the related story........ http://www.firehouse.com/lodd/2001/wash/wa_APjul31.html

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

What happened in Washington State was a tragedy. The bureaucrat that held up the air drop over a few fish should face 4 charges of manslaughter...I guess that fishslaughter was more of a crime.

Now about the environment....

Fire has been part of nature and the environment since the dawn of time. In the West, the Lodgepole pine requires fire to open up the seed pods to spawn the next generation of forest.

Those nutcase whacko eco-terrorists who use fire as a weapon are doing just as much harm as the fire. They are burning structures and vehicles, which causes pollution from water runoff and toxic gases released into the atmosphere to endanger mankind.

I care about the environment, I have to live on the planet and want to keep it clean for my son, his grandchildren and countless other generations. I keep my vehicles tuned up, conserve energy, recycle and pick up the "pooch poop" when I take the dogs for a walk.

Species are endangered all the time...it's something called evolution! I imagine that the ALF/PETA/Earth First people would have outlawed the meteor that killed off the dinosaurs!

[ 08-02-2001: Message edited by: Captain Gonzo ]

[LadderCo13]

Hopefully the IAFF will think twice before endorsing TREE HUGGING politicians like Al Gore ever again.

[Ladder Man]

Well said Captain Gonzo!

[Ladder Man]

Here is the latest. I guess we were mis-informed: http://www.firehouse.com/lodd/2001/wash/wa_FHaug2.html

[chief4102]

On the subject of firefighting and the environment. I have been told by Michigan DNR Forest Fire Officers, that they might think longer about plowing a fireline around a fire on private land. Why? Well, because they are now required to repair any such "damage" done to private property. I find this an interesting situation. I doubt that this rule would prevent the proper / necessary actions from being done, but.......

[ 08-03-2001: Message edited by: chief4102 ]

[larrycook]

in Texas we go ahead and grade a fire line around the fire, most landowers welcome such tatics because it helps to keep the fire from spreading. if you can save a lot of pasture land from burning, you have saved that rancher or farmer from selling off a portion of his herd or from buying lots of expensive feed. Now some folks have moved in who do not graze their land but let grow wild. when you try to cut a fire guard, they complain about you tearing up their land. they usually complain until an uncheck fire burns up their home or their neighors home.
we had one rancher who started some brush piles and he wanted to let every thing burn, when it got on his neighbors, it cost him $130,000.00 for repairs and new barns for his neighbors. Next time he begged for fire trucks and fire guards.
L C