NEWS ARTICLES

We've all been following the stories on the television news and in the newspapers. Global economies are in trouble. The stock market is so unpredictable that even the so-called experts have stopped making predictions on what will happen next. Some of our greatest corporations are facing financial peril. Unemployment continues to grow as does concern for the future. The bottom line is that we face new dilemmas daily and uncertainty seems to be the only constant…with one exception. When people dial 911, help will be on the way every time.

Whether the need is for Fire, EMS, or Law Enforcement, the public relies on the fact that dependable assistance is just three telephone digits away. Even today when municipal budgets are being slashed and cuts affect staffing and equipment, emergency service personnel are loyal to their duty. And yet, when people make that call they don't realize the countless hours of training and hard work it takes to provide them with such service. They may not realize that in 2007, 118 firefighters died in the line of duty and over 80,000 were injured performing their services when called upon to do so. As I write this, the United States Fire Administration reports that 108 firefighters have died in the line of duty this year, with six weeks still to go. Yet facing all this work and danger and daunting tasks you are asked to do, you, our nation's emergency service providers still are the most reliable and dependable resource within the borders of our nation.

All of us at ESIP are proud to work on a daily basis with you who give all of yourselves to see that others are safe and well. And so this month there are no messages on safety or leadership, or liability reduction. We would simply like to wish all of you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Safe New Year and ask that you continue your selfless acts of courage…because we all are relying on you.