Like many of you, I read through the Fresno Cortland accident report in which a Fresno (CA) fire captain was severely burned in a residential fire. The officer, whose crew was assigned to ventilate, was standing on the roof assessing the single-story, single-family structure for ventilation. The roof over the garage catastrophically failed, and the captain fell through the roof into the garage. He suffered significant burns.1 The following excerpt from the Executive Summary of the report really resonated with me:
When do we say enough is enough? We have the necessary information, and we have the power and ability to make the necessary changes that will prevent future injuries to the brave firefighters of “Our” American Fire Service. It is the hope and vision of this team that this Fresno report become the benchmark, or wake-up call, we all need to finally effect positive cultural change to our proud profession!
A cultural change is called for. I have the unique benefit that my family members are U.S. citizens, although I am British and my service and professional background are rooted in the United Kingdom (UK). I have the empathy, respect, and love for the United States and its fire service, with the advantage of a dual and clinical perspective. I am in a privileged position of witnessing both cultures firsthand. Both have strengths, both have weaknesses, and both can learn from each other for positive benefit. Isn’t there a cliché “A very wise man learns from the mistakes of others”? Together, we have the opportunity to do this.
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