I Can't Save You And Don't Want To Die Trying: American Fire Culture
Join us and our guest presenter, Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO, author of "I Can't Save You and Don't Want To Die Trying: American Fire Culture".
The author wants the reader to understand, “Society needs to change how it thinks and feels about fire death. When a civilian is killed by fire it is not an act of God, and when a firefighter is killed it is not part of the job. When there is a fire death something goes wrong. We must change to an Automatic Fire Protection Culture in the 21st century.” I Can’t Save You And Don’t Want to Die Trying: American Fire Culture is a road map that social, political, economic, and technological stakeholders can use to reduce the loss of life and property from fire. From the firehouse to the state house, from the boardroom to the living room we can all do better to prevent and survive fire.
He has authored over 150 articles in various publications. In 1996 he was selected by Fire Chief Magazine as Fire Chief of the Year in 1996. He has published 4 books and 7 photography books. He received the Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels Meritorious Service Award. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2022 he received the Jimmy Seavey Health and Wellness award presented by the NVFC. and the Presidents Award from the International Society of Fire Service Instructors.
He was one of the founders of the Volunteer and Combination Officer Section (VCOS) and the National Fire Academy Alumni Association. He has contributed to several “ribbon reports” published by the VCOS. He was asked to be one of the editors for the original Lavender Ribbon Report published by the VCOS and NVFC in 2019. In 2021 he along with Brian McQueen spearheaded the update for the Lavender Ribbon Report. He is a principal author of the Yellow Ribbon Report and the updated updated Training Volunteers white paper published by the National Volunteer Fire Council and the Volunteer and Combination Officers Section.
