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Comment: Our annual buyers guide and more

With this issue, we find ourselves in a different situation here at Fire Fighting In Canada magazine. Our regular editor, Jim Haley, is on a leave of absence, so for the foreseeable future, I will be filling in. Normally I remain behind the scenes as the editorial director of the magazine, but I’m excited to be stepping up to the plate, for at least a little while, and especially for this issue – which features our annual Buyers Guide.

In keeping with our Buyers Guide theme, our feature story in this issue is, “Selecting and Buying Fire Apparatus.” Written by James Careless, the article takes a look at the challenge that all fire departments regularly face – how to get the best equipment for the best possible price (page 18).

Also in this issue, regular contributor Lorne Ulley reports on an innovation that is likely to catch the eye of all rural fire departments using port-a-ponds in their fire suppression operations (page 32); while NFPA’s Sean Tracey carefully walks us through the main considerations in preparing for a pandemic, in his article, “Pandemic preparations and the fire service” (page 16). On the training side, Ed Brouwer asks the question, “What are your rules for calling mayday?” (page 12)

I would also like to draw your attention to “From the Fallen Firefighters Foundation” on page 20. The Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation is asking everyone to communicate their support to the Minister of Heritage for the creation of a national Canadian Firefighters Memorial. They would appreciate everyone’s support.

I hope you enjoy this issue and would like to remind you that we love your feedback. If you have any comments, ideas, news, press releases or story suggestions, please contact us at: Fire Fighting In Canada P.O. Box 530 105 Donly Drive S. Simcoe, ON Canada N3Y 4N5 E-mail: firefightcan@annexweb.com 1-888-599-2228 ext. 253 Fax:1-888-404-1129 We look forward to hearing from you.