HARRY R. CARTER, Ph.D., MIFireE

Many times in life, I have heard the story of Diogenes the Cynic. He lived from 400 BC to 325 BC. We most remember him for the quotation attributed to him in Bartlett’s Familiar Quotations, on page 77, wherein he states, "… I am looking for an honest man." We usually picture him moving about carrying a lantern to light the way for this search.

Well Diogenes old man, your search is at an end. Last week Washington, DC’s Interim Fire Chief, Tom Tippett established his claim to the title beyond any shadow of a doubt. He went to battle for his department. Investigative reports, issued in the wake of recent line of duty deaths in the fire department that protects our nation’s capitol called for improved staffing. He made that his battle cry.

He worked to add a fifth firefighter to each truck company, and to return the chief’s aides to the suppression division commanders. Having worked in a fire department that was perennially understaffed, I understand the rationale for this battle. Having worked in a department that lost its chief’s aides, I know of the hardships faced by firefighting chiefs involved in working without their right arm’s: their aides.

My sources in the Washington, DC Fire Department consistently praised Chief Tippett for his depth and range of knowledge and experience. They also spoke of his love for the department, and his dedication to the troops.

He fought the good fight. He won the support of the department’s members for his devotion to the task of improving the fire department and making it a safer place to work. He won the support of his Mayor, Anthony Williams. And when it looked like the department was about to turn the corner in its journey to future greatness, WHAM! The Control Board that oversees the operation of the District of Columbia gave him a thumb’s down, and vetoed his proposals.

Rather than continue to work under conditions that he knew to be life threatening, the 32-year veteran tendered his resignation. This is a true shame.

It should be pointed out that the staffing levels were restored six months ago, in December of 1999. This action came in the wake of a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report on the deaths of DC Firefighters Anthony Phillips and Louis Matthews from burns sustained in a May 30, 1999 fire. The same recommendations were contained in the report covering the death of Sergeant John Carter in 1997.

I think that it is important to note that Chief Tippett resigned as a matter of honor. Many times we have heard veteran chiefs tell us that it is better to stay on and work to make changes from the inside. This is the same tired old story that General William Westmoreland has tried to foist on all of us Vietnam veterans. He has often stated that he knew things were not being done correctly, but that he felt that more could be achieved by trying to work within the system.

That was poppycock then and so it still remains. Sometimes men and women of honor must step forward and say, "… enough is enough." They must make a public disclosure of the facts of the situation and say that they are so thoroughly offended that they must leave, rather than compromise their principles.

According to news reports in Firehouse.com, Chief Tippett thanked the Mayor for his support, and the opportunity to make changes. However, he noted that it was apparent to him that the Control Board did not view firefighter safety as a priority.

One particular statement from the Firehouse.com article sums it all up for me. Tippett wrote in his retirement letter, that he promised firefighters and their families that he would improve safety. "Therefore, I cannot in good faith carry out the directive of the deputy mayor."

Bravo. Here is man who fought for his principles. We need more like him. Of course that still leaves us with the problem of what his replacement, Battalion Chief Kenneth Ellerbe intends to do about the problem. We shall see what sort of man he really is.

Support from Congress was not long in coming. My friend, Congressman Curt Weldon, founder of the Congressional Fire Service Caucus came out swinging. In a Washington Times article, Congressman Weldon called for the Control Board to provide the funding necessary for firefighter safety.

"I am calling on Alice Rivlin to step down," said Rep. Curt Weldon …."Let her give up her fat salary and staff and give that money to the D.C. fire department … Too many firefighters have died."

BRAVO Congressman Weldon. Let government stop mouthing platitudes about the sacrifice and dedication of our firefighters, while taking every opportunity to starve them and brutalize them.

Another Congressional heavyweight also stepped into the batter’s box in support of Chief Tippett. Congressman Steny Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat and long-time Congressional Fire Caucus leader received a letter from Mrs. Rivlin that was critical of the department’s plan.

It is my opinion that this is a crucial battle for the fire service of America. We are in the midst of the fiscal wars on Capitol Hill. We are working hard to fund the needs of fire departments across our country. It is an uphill battle. But with stalwarts like Curt Weldon and Steny Hoyer carrying the banner, we are on the verge of success.

But think about this fact. If we cannot be assured that our nation’s capitol, with all of its treasures, is safe from the ravages of fire, what hope do we have for the rest of us mere mortals?

Apparently the Washington, DC Control Board would rather have the illusion of fire protection, rather than the reality of adequate protective measures. In this regard, they mirror far too many communities throughout America. As long as people can look through the doors of their fire stations and see fire trucks, all is well. What does it matter if, like in far too many places, there is less than one firefighter per vehicle, on average?

What does it matter indeed?

Like General of the Armies Douglas MacArthur, Chief Tom Tippett did his duty as God gave him the light to see it. Whenever and wherever I have the chance to speak of an ethical approach to being a fire chief, the name Tom Tippett will comes easily to mind. There are damned few of us left.

The commentary in this column does not necessarily reflect those of Firehouse.Com, Firehouse Magazine, their employees or parent company Cygnus Business Media. Harry R. Carter, Ph.D., MIFireE, is an internationally known municipal fire protection consultant and contributing editor to Firehouse Magazine. He recently retired as a Battalion Commander with the Newark, New Jersey Fire Department. His commentary appears regularly on Firehouse.Com. For more commentary and information, visit Carter's web site at www.harrycarter.com Harry has published several books available for online ordering, including Firefighting Strategy and Tactics and Management in the Fire Service