The need for a strong Fire Department

by Admin Fri Jul 17, 2009 8:30 am

In fire, heroism on display

By Editorial Board
Published: Jul 17, 2009 12:00 am

Finally, around 6 p.m. Wednesday, in spite of a blanketing, ashy haze and burning aroma still choking the downtown neighborhood, the shell-shocked city was free to breathe again.

This freedom comes courtesy of dozens of local emergency responders, whose training, experience, wits and determination contained the tremendous inferno in Lewiston's Cowan Mill. It was truly heartbreaking to see that precious landmark destroyed, after standing tall for more than 150 years.

But it must be recognized that a greater tragedy was avoided, thanks to our firefighters and police. They earned their pay yesterday, and our deepest gratitude. Without a doubt, their quick-thinking stopped the Cowan flames from escaping and releasing their might onto other, nearby buildings.

Click for the rest of the story

There remain a few people in our town that continue to hold, and occasionally act, on their personal vendettas towards our Fire Department. Unfortunately, some of these people hold positions of power in our town. Their behaviors have caused much tension in our otherwise peaceful community. I’m glad to see this behavior lesson lately but it needs to go away. There is no place for this type of behavior in town government and we’ve seen first hand what it can do to a town.

As a citizen here, I want a strong fire department that is ready and able to save the lives of my family and friends, save our property. Having a strong Fire Department is like having a strong insurance policy, a policy that pay in more than just dollars; it pays in lives saved as well.

Cheers to the Lewiston Fire Department and the surrounding communities. They no doubt saved lives and they clearly saved property. Without their heroism, there’s little doubt that we would be missing half of Lewiston today. We’ve seen that kind of heroism in our own community as well.