I Can’t Save You, But I’ll Die Trying: The American Fire Culture is a collection of essays representing years of fire-service experience including operations, prevention, education, safety, leadership, culture, and philosophy giving readers, both civilian and firefighters, a new understanding of our fire culture. The book reveals important changes society must make to provide a more fire-safe environment for firefighters and the public.
Dr. Burton A. Clark, EFO has been part of the fire service for 45 years, beginning as a volunteer with Prince George’s County, Maryland and later as a career firefighter with the District of Columbia Fire Department. Dr. Clark has worked as an instructor/trainer at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute (MFRI) of the University of Maryland, as an Operations Chief for the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA, and as the Program Chair of the Management Science curriculum at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. He has also served as a Visiting Scholar at Johns Hopkins University Center for Injury Research and Prevention, focusing on injury prevention among firefighters.
Dr. Clark’s studies include a B.S. in Business Administration from Strayer University, a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Catholic University, and a Doctorate in Adult Education from Nova Southeastern University. He studied Fire Science with Professor Frank Brannigan at Montgomery College, Emergency Management at the Emergency Management Institute, National Security at the National Defense University, and is a co-founder and graduate of the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. He also served as an expert technical reviewer for the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety, Fire-fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program.
During his tenure with the District of Columbia Fire Department, Dr. Clark was asked by the Mayor’s Office to study the fire problems in the nation’s capital. His assessment resulted in a mandatory smoke-detector ordinance for residential structures, the first of its kind in a U.S. city. He was later detailed to the National Fire Academy to develop and conduct the Smoke Detector Training Program. The program was created to help fire departments nationwide implement campaigns to promote the installation of residential smoke detectors, which has resulted in thousands of saved lives. The program is still used widely today
Dr. Clark has committed his career to firefighter safety; he has and continues to influence the fire service and firefighters safety for the better. He initiated the Brian Hunton National Fire Service Seatbelt Pledge in 2006, and was instrumental in first National Fallen Firefighters Foundation “Everyone Goes Home” campaign and guided the development of the Firefighter Sixteen Life Safety Initiatives. In addition, his research into firefighter Mayday Doctrine resulted in national training programs and changes in National Fire Protection Association firefighter standards. He serves on doctoral dissertation committees and has presented conference programs, workshops, and keynotes across the nation and in many foreign countries.
I Can’t Save You, But I’ll Die Trying: The American Fire Culture is available through Amazon.com; or may be ordered through the Publisher at order@premiumpressamerica.com The book consists of 305 pages and retails at $29.95.
