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Editorial Notes – June 2008
How d’ye Do?
We are pleased to have made your acquaintance and friendship, and sincerely trust that we have lived up to the objectives expressed in our debut editorial in 1908 (see below). In the past 100 years FIRE has witnessed two world wars, two national fire strikes, the passing of one millennium to the next and unimaginable global scientific, political, socio-economic and technological transformations. Eighteen prime ministers have come and gone in that time. FIRE editors have shown more resilience, however – there have been just seven editors of this august journal to date!
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Your Necessity.
Whilst reduction in deaths and injuries is the popular phraseology at present, FIRE’s remit has always been to report, support, debate, champion and cajole as the voice of the UK Fire and Rescue Service. Whilst times have changed, our passion and conviction has not wavered from the first. The launch issue’s Editorial Notes were scribed by George J Gawley from Whitefriars Street, London. William W Seabrook took over in March 1925 and steered the magazine through the Second World War and into the 1950s. In June 1955, FIRE’s longest-serving post-war Editor Harry Klopper took up post and moved the title to Fleet Street. In January 1977, Harry took the title of Editor-in-Chief and handed the reins to Alex Wyeth, as the journal moved offices again, this time to Tunbridge Wells. Alex Wyeth became the shortest-serving Editor, remaining for less than a year before the irrepressible Val Hargreaves took over in July 1978. Harry finally retired in June 1981 having spent 26 years with the journal. Val was sole Editor until May 1994 when Simon Hoffman took the reins, with Val becoming Managing Editor. Val retired in 1998, having contributed 20 years to the magazine. Simon remained in place until October 2000. Sadly, all previous editors have passed away. However, each has left an inspiring legacy for their successors.
There was Harry’s relentless and often ferocious criticism to affect changes in legislation, showing persistence and commitment to service improvement which is rarely evidenced anywhere in the media today. Val’s incomparable presence and acclaimed journalistic virtuosity resulted in her MBE and universal respect within the Service. Val was highly regarded across the Service and her knowledge and insight was valued by union leader and chief officer alike. Simon changed tone again by championing modernisation in areas such as first responders and equality and diversity long before they became the hot topics of the day. The contribution of the first two editors is harder to track but can be gleaned from pg 79 onwards where we review past issues of the magazine from the very beginning.
FIRE’s current stance aligns the forward looking with the best of the past in our Integral Approach, a developmental framework which considers every aspect of Fire and Rescue Service activity and provides a steer for the Service of the future (visit: www.fire-magazine.com). Our commitment to forwarding the best initiatives, whilst questioning policy, debating direction and covering every aspect of service delivery, remains constant. The past editors provide a remarkable record of support and encouragement for the Service and an inspiring framework for all who work on this great journal.
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Our Friends.
As our first issue included well wishes from Fire Service leaders, I hope you will allow us the indulgence of including testimonials from our current friends and acquaintances (see pg 6). This issue points to the past (pg 79 onwards), reflects the best of the present (pg 16 onwards) and includes some indicators of where the Service is heading (pg 44), aligned to our function of covering every facet of fire sector activity (pg 10). I entreat future editors to heed the rallying calls of their passionate and incisive predecessors and seek always to make sound, insightful and significant contributions to the progress of the world’s finest Fire and Rescue Service. To quote the first Editor in his introduction, let us always strive to attain at least this for our valued readership: ‘We have gathered around us and brought to our own assistance the best brains and talent in each subject with which we shall deal. All we publish will, therefore, bear the hall mark of expert authority’. On behalf of the editors, past and future, we are proud to have served and endeavour to remain at your service. Most of all, thanks to all our readers and contributors for your support and friendship.
All the best,
The FIRE Editors.
FIRE’s First Issue
Editorial Notes – June 1908How d’ye Do?
We are pleased to make your acquaintance, and sincerely trust that we shall for many years be good friends. This is our first issue and we have really no excuse for it. But we have a reason, many reasons in fact, for introducing a new paper. Fire Brigades in the United Kingdom number over twenty-five thousand members. Yet they have not had a representative journal until to-day. By representative we mean a magazine which with absolute impartiality will give the latest information relative to improvements in apparatus, building construction, and ideas for preventing and combating fire. The general public requires information also, as to the best methods of dealing with minor conflagrations previous to the arrival of the Fire Brigade. It is generally understood that five minutes’ work on a fire in the beginning will save hours later, as well as property and human life. How to make the most of that five minutes, and the exact value thereof the public is ignorant of. FIRE, as a paper, will be found a more human teacher than experience gained by fire. First-aid in fighting fire and first-aid also in alleviating the sufferings of the injured will form part of our curriculum. The vexing points relating to fire insurance will be rounded off by our aid. We have gathered around us and brought to our own assistance the best brains and talent in each subject with which we shall deal. All we publish will, therefore, bear the hall mark of expert authority. * * *
Your Necessity.
There are not two opinions as to your need of this paper. From all parts of the world we have received congratulations upon our enterprise, and the heartiest good wishes for its success. You and we hope every fireman will take in this paper regularly by ordering it of his newsagent, and also get one member of the general public monthly to do likewise; the greater the circulation the more you and they will benefit by the proportionate improvements we will make in the journal.
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Our Friends.
We give just a few names of those who have written and wished us success. His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, KG, President of that great organisation, the National Fire Brigades’ Union, writes that:- “He is pleased to hear that a paper dealing exclusively with fire and its attendant horrors has been placed under your editorship. He sincerely trusts that the paper may be the means of bringing a wider knowledge of the ordinary dangers and the ordinary precautions to many householders and business men of this country, which are necessary to protect the very valuable property which the Fire Brigades have under their supervision. Should this result be due in any measure to the existence of your paper, it will indeed have proved its utility.” Other famous Firemen who have honoured us with their good wishes are Captain J. De C. Hamilton, R.N, Chief Officer of the London Fire Brigade, Lieut.- Col. Fox, the Chief of the London Salvage Corps, Sir Eyre Massey Shaw, K.C.B, former Chief Officer of the London Fire Brigade… |
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