In response to "Saying No to the Boss" by Janet Wilmoth, editor, published in Command Post on May 13, 2005:

I would like to express my gratitude and support of your recent editorial comments reflecting Chief Hayden's response to Mayor Bloomberg. We have been seeing this trend across the nation. What everyone seems to miss is that we haven't seen a large loss of paid firefighter lives at hazardous materials incidents in years. In fact, I believe it is one area where significant progress has been made regarding the safety and welfare of our firefighters. My greatest concern is that we will continue to see the trend of moving police in this role, and start the "death cycle" all over again. And it is completely preventable.

Your comments regarding the nonsensical approach to this issue were on point, what would law enforcement say if we started arming firefighters because of the risk of terrorist attacks? Wouldn't there be an outcry about redundancy, reinventing the wheel, etc.? Of course there would. Yet the national fire service continues to be steamrolled under the guise of "terrorism."

At any rate, I just wanted to respond that I am pleased with your view and the work you are doing to educate the thousands of "myopic" chief's, such as myself, who just can't seem to see the big picture. We are in the throes of political backlash for candidacy support that is recognized and attributed to the fire service as a whole, and we will continue to suffer until we speak out collectively on what is right, efficient and safe.

Thank you, keep up the great work.

Mark Burdick
Fire Chief
Glendale (Ariz.) Fire Department