Danger constant companion

Jack Thompson’s allegation that the job of firefighting has never been in the top 15 most dangerous jobs couldn’t be farther from the truth (Letters, June 17).

In a first responder’s world, every call is dangerous. Every situation is as unexpected and over-determined as the last. Extreme temperatures inside and out. Collapse, entrapment, confined spaces. They’ll face multiple deadly gases – often superheated, low or no oxygen. Explosion, confusion and stress you wouldn’t believe, and courage that’s hard to imagine.

Firefighters are prepared for the very worst, Mr. Thompson, so unless you’re willing to step into 20 pounds of turnout gear, put on a 25-pound Airpack and rush into a totally dark, toxic, smoke-obscured environment to save a life, you might want to rethink your personal feelings about just how dangerous the world of firefighting is.

Joe Speranzi

Spokane