Has the fire service changed since Sept. 11, 2001? One West Coast chief said no, departments still are begging for money. The fire service is a splintered group that doesn’t have the political clout of our nation’s police departments.

However, an East Coast chief said yes. When white powder was dusting the country, it was the fire service that responded to those calls. Training for the next terrorist attack has taken place across the country, and the fire service has learned a lot in two years.

The U.S. Fire Administration would probably answer yes as it continues to be optimistic while being elbowed out of the government organizational charts and losing its identity in the Department of Homeland Security. The USFA even answers phones with, “DHS.” And just when those in the know were thinking of FEMA as the Fire Emergency Management Administration. It makes you wonder if Joe Albaugh saw this one coming.

The National Fire Academy would have to say yes, too. The enrollment for NFA classes is more overwhelming than ever, and the demand for training of all sorts is at its highest level ever. So why is the NFA fighting for its life in light of changes in the Department of Homeland Security?

The Congressional Fire Services Institute would have to say yes. Congressional staffers have increased their queries about the fire service on behalf of their political bosses. The CFSI has stepped up its encouragement to the fire service to speak with one voice. (See Size-Up on page 96.)

The International Association of Fire Chiefs would have to state an emphatic yes. Several IAFC members now serve on various national and government committees. Unfortunately, while the IAFC's communication with its members is the best in its history, its membership roster still doesn't include even half of the fire chiefs in the country. The CFSI's calls for “one voice” have a natural amplifier in the IAFC. For less than 50 cents a day, every fire chief can tap into this resource. Why wait for another disaster to find out how this organization has changed?

The Fire Department of New York would surely say yes. After losing hundreds of their own, FDNY continues to lose members to early retirements from physical and mental health issues. Small volunteer departments in middle America, however, would say no. They may have read some articles about decontamination and hung our 2003 Guide to Federal WMD Response Assets poster, but they're more worried about replacing their 1976 Pirsch pumper and finding enough volunteers to answer their 20 calls a year.

While the FIRE Act was passed before Sept. 11, the millions of dollars have increased to help fire departments even more. The departments we know that have received those dollars are most grateful. If you're not one of them, do your homework and submit another application next year. It's still the best program in the U.S. government. (By the way, check out the Smart Practices on www.fema.gov for some great ideas from your peers.)

On Oct. 31, 2001, American kids wanted to be firefighters for Halloween. That Christmas was all about firefighter ornaments and thousands of Christmas cookies delivered to fire stations. It was recognition and admiration that was long overdue. The heroes who were still with us were recognized, and firefighters were cheered and welcomed. They still are to some extent.

The ripple-effect of Sept. 11 continues to reach out, but what really has changed? More emotional issues? More training? More mutual aid agreements? How has your role as a fire chief or chief officer changed in two years? Tell me.