Los Angeles Fire Department - Blog, RSS!
Submitted by Taran on Sun, 11/26/2006 - 03:18
I was kind of surprised to find out that a Fire Department had a blog - as LAFD does. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, but I think just the blog is pretty cool - a nice place for people to get information on safety and relevant, up to date information. The post by PKB was the cue.
They have a post on RSS which also talks about the good things which RSS can bring.
I don't know how well it will be received, but I find it heartening to know that technology is being attempted for these purposes. When you consider RSS can go to a mobile phone, and that RSS can also be converted to SMS rather easily... there's the beginnings of a culture which will support better emergency systems that service the community while informing them.
The potential is enormous. I've often discussed the ARC concept with people, but never started off with the blog in this way.
This could be something for folks at MobileActive to pick up on.
Wow. Excellent...
I completely love hearing this kind of things. I believe that technology should always be used to help and to bring relevancy. This days the internet is being used excessively for corruption and detriment. I praise the effort and hope that others follow their example. Thanks again to the Fire Department.
A. Matthews,
LA Magazine
Fire training not enough for real world
The current Malibu fires are a reminder that the population is NOT very well protected by any public servants. They remind us to be prepared, clear the brush or threaten us with fines. Yet they are the ones who appear to be unprepared with not enough resources available in the areas of concern when they know that an emergency is eminent. When the time comes to extinguish the fires, the Fire Department is busy organizing , setting up command posts, bringing in food and drink, talking with the media, waiting for assignments, staging and outsourcing duties that they should be completing. Undoubtedly this business is dangerous and difficult, but those who choose this profession volunteered and should have been aware of the danger. If they become cowards during an emergency when we need them most, they should think about changing careers. Being a fire fighter is not about cleaning their toys, eating well, playing volley ball, making calendars or hanging out at Starbucks, it's only about three things, saving lives, protecting property and extinguishing fires! These public servants are extremely well paid and some would say overpaid, we should demand close to perfection and quick work for every call that they respond to.
Watching these properties burn with no attempts to save them is a crime, there are no resources there to perform the job, fighting the fire. The helicopters are busy surveying and flying over active fires instead of making water drops. Watching the castle in Malibu burn was a tragedy, there were no Fire personal anywhere in sight, finally after 20 minutes, four Fire servants, a camera man and limp hose showed up only to watch the fire burn and get great film footage. Numerous helicopter water drops would have made all the difference, but the helicopters were making water drops on outlying brush with no property in sight. As we now know, this historic building is a complete loss. With all the foresight, preparation and training they supposedly perform, it seems that they would be in better control.
Listening to fire department frequencies also indicates that these servants are busy with all other facets of an emergency situation instead of performing the most critical part of their job, extinguishing the fire. The radio chatter that occurs during an emergency is an eye opening glimpse into the chaos that really happens during a disaster.
The citizens of our city need to hold the all Fire Departments responsible for improper and time wasting protocol instead of picking up the hose and extinguishing the fire. Every time I watch these events unfold, it reminds me that even though we pay high taxes and are manipulated to abide by fire regulations, there is no guarantee that any public agency will protect you or even assist you! You must be proactive and be prepared to protect yourself and your family regardless of what the laws are. Common sense, logic and immediate action is obviously not a part of their training which should be a concern to all who pay the exorbitant tax base in this county. The truth hurts and needs to be told before another disaster occurs regardless of the pro fire department propaganda machines.
Haven't You Heard?
Hey, Anonymous, haven't you heard this isn't some fire down the block-- that these are the worst fires in the history of California? Haven't you heard that the Santa Ana winds are strong and making it dangerous for air components of the firefighting troops? Have you seen the satellite views of this disaster?
Or maybe I don't understand what you are saying. Are you saying that these firefighters should be willing to give their lives to keep the fire from your doorstep? Are you saying that, because firefighters are publicly funded that the public owns them and expects them to put their lives on the line when doing so will not stop the fire, only raise the death toll? Those guys are the experts. Experts from all over the country have joined them. I trust they are doing all they can.
There have been unthinkable losses for (as of this morning) over 1300 families who have lost every bit of what they own - some of whom are the families of firefighters. Those people are counting their blessings that family members are safe, that all they lost was "stuff" and "stuff" can be replaced. Lives cannot.
Give it a rest. Go somewhere where the smoke isn't so thick that it influences your thinking. These guys are doing all they can. What are You doing?
Hm... Out of the closet --?
I see that the writer of the above tirade, who had called himself Anonymous, has edited and given his name as 'Phil."
Interesting, that.
Had I written that, berating those who are giving all they've got to try to contain those fires, I'd have stayed Anonymous and in the closet...
So, Phil -- have you heard? The most damaging of those fires was man-initiated - ARSON - and at last report, a $50,000 reward is being offered for the responsible party.
Well, there you go, Phil - something you can do to help. Go find who started that fire and bring him to justice. I suspect you need a hobby, and you can always use the cash ...
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