MIKE BRANUM

W hile it is good to see a nice story about the quick actions of a former Juneau volunteer firefighter on page three of the Empire, the real story here was missed. The real story, which should have run on the front page, would have read "Fire sprinkler system prevents tragedy." Fire sprinkler systems are not sexy, and I doubt they have ever garnished front page news, unless, that is, someone is trying to make them mandatory.

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Statistic after statistic after statistic proves that the most effective way to reduce fire losses - primarily the loss of life, but also the loss of property - is the installation of automatic fire sprinkler systems. There has never been a multiple fatality in a building with a functioning, full-coverage fire sprinkler system. Even with all the data proving the value of fire sprinklers, Juneau, like far too many U.S. communities, does not even require fire sprinklers in all new construction much less have a plan to retrofit existing structures.

If this building had not had a functioning fire sprinkler system, here is how the story might have gone.

A Heritage Coffee Company employee died last night and 15 patrons of the Juneau Bowling Center were transported to Bartlett Regional Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. The fire, which started due to a faulty coffee roaster, quickly spread from the Heritage Coffee building into the Salvation Army Thrift Store and the bowling center. Extinguishing the fire required the efforts of 37 Capital City firefighters over nearly four hours.

The owner of Heritage Coffee Co. estimated that it would take two to three months to have new roasting equipment shipped to Juneau and installed. He said that his stores may have to close if he cannot quickly find a supplier to ship already roasted beans for his six Juneau locations.

Juneau Bowling Center's owner could not estimate how long his business would be closed.

The fire sprinklers on West Seventh Street did their job Friday night, but it did not garner front page news. I sincerely hope the Juneau Assembly will not wait for a front page tragedy before they begin to improve the safety of Juneau citizens by at least incrementally increasing fire sprinkler requirements throughout the city.

• Mike Branum is a fire and emergency services veteran and Juneau resident.