We can always improve; that should be our goal

TO THE EDITOR:

OK, now that we are talking about the fire, I’d like to chime in, from a fire fighter’s point of view. I have spent the last 30 years of my life as a career fire fighter and I also volunteer with the local department in my district.

The fire at McMinnville Molding was indeed tragic, tragic for many reasons. A large number of folks are out of a job and the owner has suffered a huge financial loss. Other local jobs may have been impacted by the loss also. It may be some time before the business is able to reopen. The good news is no loss of life occurred.

There seems to be some discussion as to whether there have might been a different outcome if McMinnville fire fighters were allowed to respond initially. Sure, they would have arrived sooner because they are on duty 24/7 manning the fire apparatus.

But that question cannot be answered without considering the following: How long had the fire been burning? How long was the fire fought before the 911 center received that first call for help? How much water is available on scene to attack the fire? Are there any fire hydrants at the scene? What is the access at the structure for fire apparatus? Are there rescues to be made? (First priority of fire fighters.) What product is burning? What does the building occupant manufacture in the structure? What products are used in the manufacturing process?

In this case it was highly combustible and flammable products. Products that burn very hot, emit extremely toxic smoke and gases and are very hard to extinguish once ignited. Large volumes of water, called master streams, would be required for an extended period of time. Also it was very hot that day. Add to that the fact that a fire fighters’ gear weighs in around 60 pounds with a breathing apparatus so even the most conditioned fire fighter would need a break in about 20 minutes. The often mentioned rule of thumb ‘a fire doubles in size every two minutes’ usually applies to class A combustibles under ordinary fire conditions. This fire did not fall into either of those categories.

There were other factors working against fire fighters even before the fire started. First and foremost was the fact that the building did NOT have an operating fire sprinkler system in place. It probably isn’t required at that location because of local codes.

Fire sprinklers WOULD have made a great deal of difference, more difference than the response any fire department. Sprinklers not only protect property they save lives. Fire sprinklers might have held the fire in check, possibly even extinguished it until the first fire fighters were on scene and began their fire attack.

I would like to think that where a fire or other emergency occurs, boundaries don’t exist and the closest units are dispatched. There should be no boundaries when lives and property are at stake.

But it does not work that way yet. And I would like to think we could have fire codes that require fire sprinklers and that where those codes already exist they are enforced without EXCEPTION.

As far as mutual aid and initial response, mutual aid comes in many forms. In our case the department having jurisdiction has the responsibility to call for aid should it be needed. Although a department’s primary concern is response in its own district, all departments will send personnel and equipment to one another if aid is requested.

Automatic mutual aid is used in some communities. This allows the closest units to respond initially along with the units having jurisdiction. This would be beneficial to all involved. Sometimes tragedy inspires change. There is always room for improvement. That should be our goal.

I personally feel that all our fire fighters, along with the other emergency services that responded, did a fantastic job. They should all be commended. And remember fire trucks don’t put out fires, fire fighters do. Support your local fire fighters.

Gary George
Slatton Drive
McMinnville