In response to "A New National Training Program," by Editor Janet Wilmoth, published in Command Post on July 1, 2005.

Thank you for the frank, open and honest comments regarding the Boston Fire Department on the Discovery Channel. I am concerned about what the intent of the show is, however.

Were the producers wanting to expose unsafe practices, or was it driven by Hollywood-style, "danger and drama?" Whatever their motive, I do appreciate you taking the time to write your opinion about the mixed-message it sends, at the very least, to the national fire service.

As a suburban city next to Phoenix, we have become somewhat sheltered to the unsafe practices still continuing in many cities across the country. Our greatest exposure is to Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini and his organization, who are now championing a program titled, "It's not O.K. to die in a structure fire."

To practice unsafe procedures is, at best, disturbing for the organization involved. To televise it as "real life" is spreading a self-induced morbidity throughout the fire service. Thank you for trying to make the situation into lemonade, I hope most departments across the country do so... Mark Burdick, Fire Chief Glendale Fire Department Glendale, Ariz.