Dear Senator Carl Levin:
I write this letter as I feel it is the right time to do something about the unnecessary loss of human life. We have the technology to reduce the death toll in events like we witnessed on September 11th, 2001.
While reading my Sears credit card bill, I noticed an ad for a personal smoke detector. That got my mind going about personal safety devices and smoke and fire and the WTC event.
May I be so bold as to suggest that for reasons of human health and safety that all buildings of a certain height require their tenants to have a personal emergency escape smoke & air device for each permanent employee and a suitable quantity for their guests. You may think of this as a horrendous expense for businesses but I assure you it is not.
As virtually every boat, plane, and business must have fire extinguishers, it would not be unreasonable for the users of high rise facilities to require a "Emergency Escape Smoke Hood" apparatuses of sorts. Using the internet, it took be less than 30 seconds to locate such a device that provides up to a twenty minute supply of breathable air and it includes an over the head hood to protect the eyes and lungs of the wearer. This remarkable life saving device cost just $69 and has a shelf life up to ten years for the newer models. Here is the web site of the device I located: http://www.evac-u8.com/evac-u8/ I am sure that there are many other's companies that can provide this type of solution.
A device like this would allow an orderly escape for survivors of calamities. Time for them to search and locate a suitable exit passageway. Time for them to transverse smoke filled hallways and stairwells. Time to have a chance at survival!
Unfortunately it takes a terrible loss of life in order to enact many of our modern day life saving rules and regulations that many people take for granted today. Fire escapes, fire doors, emergency lighting, fire retardant clothing for kids, seat belts, car safety, aircraft maintenance, sprinkler systems, and numerous building codes are just a few items that came about because of a measurable loss of life and property.
I believe it is time to stop the unnecessary loss of human life in buildings that have a major fire on lower floors that inundate the upper floors with un-breathable air. Remember the MGM Grand in Las Vegas many years ago. Too many died from the smoke and for no other reason. On September 11th, we had an untold number of people that perished because of smoke in the only surviving stairwell at the WTC. The people did what they thought was the right thing and they paid for it with their lives. Let us try and prevent another tragic ending from occurring in the future when people get trapped by little more than smoke. Please considering my suggestion to empower them with a means of self rescue. I am only one and virtually powerless to helps others in matters like this. But you have the forum to move on this life saving solution. It's all I can do at the moment.
The time to act is now, while the events are on everyone's mind. Please consider creating a preemptive federal safety ordinance that mandates an "Emergency Escape Smoke Hood" personal safety protection device for users of facilitates where no rescue is possible unless you rescue yourself.
Sincerely,
David P. Barker
President
Electrosonics, Inc.
17150 15 Mile Road
Fraser, MI 48026
cc: Congressman David E. Bonior