The fire service has been grousing about the Department of Homeland Security since the first DHS organizational chart appeared. Has the grumbling made a difference? No.

Has DHS moved any boxes around to make it look like the fire service is more important in the org chart? No.

Has the "one-voice" movement made a difference? The highest-ranking fire service person in the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration is still the same. Did the leadership summit of select fire organizations sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs in the big room on Capitol Hill last February make a difference? Nope.

But within the last week a fire chief made the news for pushing back and saying no to his boss. FDNY's Chief Peter Hayden, the 36-year veteran who took control of the World Trade Center's north tower on Sept. 11, 2001, told the city council that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's command structure was bad and would risk lives.

It seems that a few months ago Bloomberg decided to put the New York Police Department in command of chemical, biological or nuclear incidents. That makes about as much sense as putting firefighters in charge of writing parking tickets.

So Chief Hayden spoke out -- no light decision by any means. He didn't say it to be nasty but probably with desperation and a great deal of concern. Chief Hayden stuck his neck out by stating that the new policy "does not make sense." He's fighting for public safety and the safety of firefighters.

Bloomberg dealt with the criticism from Chief Hayden by issuing a blunt statement that if city officials can't follow the rules, "They just can't work here."

Later, according to The New York Daily News, the mayor supported the police command to rule out a terrorist incident and then would involve the fire department. In response to the mayor's ultimatum, Chief Hayden said, "We're gonna follow it."

Doesn't it make you wonder what's behind all these DHS decisions that seem to come out of left field? Who is making decisions about the best possible (OK, common-sense) action plans being developed to deal with everything from funding to emergency response? The fire service has been dealing with and training for hazmat and worse scenarios for several years. Suddenly, the mayor in New York City wants to drop this one on the cops?

Several people who know Chief Hayden have told me that he is a courageous man who puts public safety ahead of politics. I'm sure the FDNY Commissioner and Chief Hayden will make the best of this situation, as the fire service always does.

Your way or the highway, Mr. Mayor? If anything goes down in New York City, my bet is that after the cops put a bright yellow tape around the area, Chief Hayden and his firefighters will be first-in to deal with the devastation. Then you can go have your picture taken at the incident, Mr. Mayor.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor