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Hey folks. I posted this to the Seat belt pledge I started, and since there will be more folks signing the pledge soon(hopefully) I assume it will become buried before some folks can read the letter. The last 2 letters I sent to Senator Kerry and Senator Brown I did so without thinking of adding them here to my blog or to the forum. I sent a letter to Senator Byrd today. (West Virginia)
The reason for me adding it to my blog is that I am looking for constructive criticism to ensure my letters when read are correctly formatted, and show the power of the subject I am trying to bring forth to them. Any help will be appreciated. As I stated in the forum, I will send EVERY senator, and EVERY representative a personalized letter (no cookie cutter letter's) and will continue to do so until the seat belt law goes from coast to coast. I am tired of seeing LODD's which are completely preventable. If we can't save ourselves, what good are we doing to our communities?
Each letter I send I will add to the Blog for all to read, and for sure ANY response I get will be forwarded to the blog as well.
Heres the letter....
Hello Senator Byrd.
My name is Michael Deniger Sr, and I am a volunteer firefighter in Rhode Island. The reason for my email to you (and other congressional members) is that I have a idea to help promote further safety to all firefighters across our beautiful nation. The safety aspect I would like to see become law for all states is Seat Belt useage for all emergency responders. There are a number of states that still either don't have a law providing responders with a mandate to wear seat belts, or they have an "out clause" exempting first responders from seat belt useage.
Responders are using emergency lights and sirens and traveling (generally) in a rapid manner. No matter how much due regard is used, accidents happen and the seat belts will save lives. It is terrible to open a NIOSH report and see another motor vehical accident killing a firefighter and seat belt not used being one of the factors.
I ask you, and your fellow senators to change the ways of these "left behind" states, and issue an across the country mandate that all responders wear their seat belts.
I started a pledge on a website for firefighters by firefighters (www.firefighternation.com) and to date I have around 600 signatures of folks that feel the same way I do. Please feel free to read through some of the commentary, and to join the site and leave a comment of support for the seat belt cause.
(http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topic/show?id=889755%3ATopic%3A399262)
Seat belts save lives. How can we be any help to any taxpaying citizen in the community we are there to protect if we are dead because we were too stubborn, or too foolish to fasten the seat belt?
Thank you for your time, and I hope to be in further contact with you in the future.
Michael S. Deniger Sr
The reason for me adding it to my blog is that I am looking for constructive criticism to ensure my letters when read are correctly formatted, and show the power of the subject I am trying to bring forth to them. Any help will be appreciated. As I stated in the forum, I will send EVERY senator, and EVERY representative a personalized letter (no cookie cutter letter's) and will continue to do so until the seat belt law goes from coast to coast. I am tired of seeing LODD's which are completely preventable. If we can't save ourselves, what good are we doing to our communities?
Each letter I send I will add to the Blog for all to read, and for sure ANY response I get will be forwarded to the blog as well.
Heres the letter....
Hello Senator Byrd.
My name is Michael Deniger Sr, and I am a volunteer firefighter in Rhode Island. The reason for my email to you (and other congressional members) is that I have a idea to help promote further safety to all firefighters across our beautiful nation. The safety aspect I would like to see become law for all states is Seat Belt useage for all emergency responders. There are a number of states that still either don't have a law providing responders with a mandate to wear seat belts, or they have an "out clause" exempting first responders from seat belt useage.
Responders are using emergency lights and sirens and traveling (generally) in a rapid manner. No matter how much due regard is used, accidents happen and the seat belts will save lives. It is terrible to open a NIOSH report and see another motor vehical accident killing a firefighter and seat belt not used being one of the factors.
I ask you, and your fellow senators to change the ways of these "left behind" states, and issue an across the country mandate that all responders wear their seat belts.
I started a pledge on a website for firefighters by firefighters (www.firefighternation.com) and to date I have around 600 signatures of folks that feel the same way I do. Please feel free to read through some of the commentary, and to join the site and leave a comment of support for the seat belt cause.
(http://www.firefighternation.com/forum/topic/show?id=889755%3ATopic%3A399262)
Seat belts save lives. How can we be any help to any taxpaying citizen in the community we are there to protect if we are dead because we were too stubborn, or too foolish to fasten the seat belt?
Thank you for your time, and I hope to be in further contact with you in the future.
Michael S. Deniger Sr
Add a Comment
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Comment by Joe Stoltz on May 4, 2008 at 11:05pm
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Either that or push the keyboard away from you Lutan. Oh, sorry your arms aren't long enough to type and see at the same time... :o)
Mike, great job! Let me know if I can help in any way.
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Comment by FireCat on May 4, 2008 at 5:43pm
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Sure blame the keyboard.................You are too funny!.............LOL
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Comment by lutan1 on May 4, 2008 at 5:40pm
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Eye no whot Im treying too right- itz the keeboard that doeznt.....
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Lutan 1,
Slow down Aussie! The page isn't going anywhere!........ LOL!
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F**k it- stuffed up the spelling again. Damn fingers are too quick!
I quit......
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Excuse my spelling- they keyboard can't type tonight!!!! And I hate tha tI cant edit a blog response...!
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that I have a idea Should read "an idea"
and see another motor vehical accident killingShoiuld read "vehicle"
It is terrible to open a NIOSH report and see another motor vehical accident killing a firefighter and seat belt not used being one of the factors. Site references- give specific examples. Back it up wioth facts, not emotion.
I started a pledge on a website for firefighters by firefighters (www.firefighternation.com) and to date Start with a more positive spin to ensure they udnerstand that you're serious about it and are also trying to do something. Something like, "In an effort to promote the use of seatbelts by first responders, I started a pledge...."
How can we be any help to any taxpaying citizen in the community we are there to protect if we are dead because we were too stubborn, or too foolish to fasten the seat belt? This is almost contradictary- on one hand you're telling them that seat belts save lives but on the other hand, we are to stupid or stubborn to wear them. My rant on this topic in the past is that we mus tlook out for our own. How can we not understand that these save lives when we see first hand the consequence of not wearing them on a daily basis? I'd perhaps re-word it with a little less emotion-. Something like, "Seat belts save lives. Unfortunately in our industry, many are so focussed on the job at hand and their response to the incident, they often fail to wear them for many reasons. My hope is that a law change across the nation will ensure that we can continue to respond and save lives, including our own"
Thank you for your time, and I hope to be in further contact with you in the future. End on a positive note- something like, "Thankyou for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss this urgent matter further."
I'd also suggest a formal letter as well, with the exact same message, but introduce it as a follow up to this email. Also bear in mind, that many, many politicians, etc don't always read their emails or letters, so don;t be disappointed.
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Keep up the good work!
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Comment by mike wright on May 3, 2008 at 10:14am
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Very well written as always Mike. You hit the point right on the head and hopefully the people that get this, take it to heart and not just discard it in the trash. Keep up the good work with fire safty we do support you.
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