Video Series Brings Fire Prof to Colleagues Across the Nation

Sometimes life's lessons and classroom intertwine and teachers get to mingle personal and professional experiences with pedagogy.

This is an everyday thing for Bill Kramer, who doubles as associate professor of fire science technology and chief of Deerfield Township Fire and Rescue in Warren County. Kramer has been teaching at the College of Applied Science since 1981, and his fire career has spanned 40 years. In addition, he has been narrator for a monthly educational video series called Working Fire since 1998.

"The audience for the video series is broader than just pure firefighters," said Kramer. "The tapes also go out to all types of emergency response personnel, including medic crews and industrial fire brigades. Working Fire has an international audience, with tapes going to all 50 states, Canada and five other English-speaking countries." Portions of the video production are done on-campus. At the end of each monthly segment, Kramer poses questions to the audience and viewers can respond in writing and earn credit towards fire science degrees at the College of Applied Science.

The most difficult tape Kramer worked on dealt with the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on New York. Last November, firefighters from around the world prepared to gather in New York to pray at a scheduled memorial service. "The memorial service was canceled," said Kramer. "But many persons like myself went ahead without plans and visited." Kramer went to Ground Zero at the former World Trade Centers to observe and participate in the healing process. He took a video crew so that others could learn from the tragedy. His interviews with New York and other American and international firefighters portrayed the emotions and outpouring of support. "One person I interviewed made a very striking comment," said Kramer.

"He told me 'I had to come here. I had to make this pilgrimage.'

"I felt that word, 'pilgrimage,' was representative of why myself and so many other firefighters went to pay our respects to our brothers and sisters in New York."