In today's society it is hard to find true heroes, one that risk their lives either for monetary compensation, such as firefighters and police officers, or those who do it out of the kindness of their heart.  It is also hard to find people to look up to in the world today for what they do and how they act. 

Albeit Chief Toby Sealey may have made poor judgments in the past but it is inexcusable for blasting a man who risked his life to help another.  I know that this newspaper has a problem with the volunteer fire/EMS service in the Southern Maryland region, and I realize that if I have a problem with the opinions of this newspaper then I should just not read it BUT the link, "Dunkirk chief who posed in photos in bar without pants, this time had them on when he suffered burns while searching for person in burning house"  is inexcusable and requires action. 

This man is by definition brave and heroic as well as all other synonyms associated and should be praised for what he does.  I am sure it is hard for many of your readers and your writers to understand what it is like to go into a life-threatening environment but it is no laughing matter.  Even fewer understand what it is like to be in that environment without protection of a hoseline, searching for a victim.  What if that had been your relative was supposedly trapped inside, would it matter to you what happened in the past?? 

Further, what would have happened if Chief Sealey had been killed during the flashover, would you have kept your headline the same??  The Chief has a family and friends that care about him and his well-being and to see this inappropriate headline attacking a man when he is down is infuriating.  I am not saying that everyone needs to look up to the Chief because that is a individual personal opinion, but he has worked hard and risks his life for others everyday by either volunteering at Dunkirk or working in DC and should be respected for his service to the community and others.

Brent Lankford  

(Editor's Note: Chief Sealy was not "blasted" for this time performing with his pants on, in fact, the link was made to the photos and story told by Dunkirk VFD themselves about his heroic actions and the "dropped trousers" photos of him were not used at all in this reference. Since this newspaper has a more than 20 year track record of telling our readers about the heroic actions of our firefighters and rescue personnel, this complaint of yours falls more in the category of wanting to have our fire and EMS workers treated like sacred cows.  They are not sacred cows and its a good thing too, as most folks in this area love hamburgers.   The record is clear, Sealy is a heroic firefighter and in over his head as a fire chief. Dunkirk is being hurt by letting yahoos run the department.)