Firefighters testify they do not work

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, February 17, 2007

I am a captain with the Marysville Fire District. Of course my job is to protect the lives of the good citizens who live in, work in or pass through the fire district. I am very fortunate to have been given this responsibility and I take it very seriously.

Having worked for this fire department for the last 23 years, I have responded to my share of horrible auto accidents on I-5. Several of these incidents have been highlighted in the media over the last couple of years. It seems that there is a question as to whether the cable barriers installed in the freeway medians work. Let me tell you from a firefighter’s standpoint that they most certainly do not work. Maybe they would if cars on the freeway went 40 mph. But at 60 mph plus, they unquestionably do not do what they are intended to do. Is this not obvious enough?

It is also my job to supervise and protect the highly trained professionals who I work with. These horrible accidents take their toll on our firefighters, too. Of course we expect to see ugly things on our job on a regular basis. And we do. But it weighs heavy on the hearts and minds of the first responders to see families and individuals mangled and torn in unmentionable conditions. Especially when these accidents are preventable, it hurts to see it. I work with veteran firefighters who wish to never have to respond these tragic incidents ever again. But they will, when called to do so. I see the pain on my co-workers’ faces.

There is a way… please fix it.

Bob Magee

Arlington