Regarding “Putting out Chicago’s parking fires” (Op-Ed, Nov. 14):
I spent 37 years as a member of the Chicago Fire Department. I responded to far too many fires and witnessed horrific injuries and loss of life to drastic numbers of citizens and firefighters alike.
How do the authors of this piece think fires are extinguished? It is essential that fire department personnel have easy and ready access to securing a hydrant. Even a delay of seconds can result in the total loss of a structure or, more important, being unable to effect a rescue. Fire hydrants have been strategically spaced throughout the city so as to conform with national standards, not to specifically inconvenience drivers from parking.
To permit parking in front of hydrants (as the authors suggested) would be catastrophic. I hope they do not lose a dear friend or relative because a hydrant was blocked.
