[Johnson] off topic warning... please bear with me.

[W1EOF]

My friends,

Please accept my apologies for posting this off-topic message on our list. I
ask that if you have any comments or questions to PLEASE email me directly.
Do NOT reply to this message on the list. I don't want to be responsible for
a long off topic discussion clogging the list, but I *reallY* wanted to pass
along a thought to you all.

As a native of Southern Rhode Island, I have watched the terrible tradgedy
in West Warwick unfold over the past few days. For anyone not familiar with
it, a small night club caught fire during a concert. A total of 187 people
were hospitalized, and an additional 96 people perished in this fire. Most
have yet to be indentified.

The entire building was consumed in smoke so thick you could not see within
a matter of 90-120 seconds. That's SECONDS. There are many issues that will
be investigated and (hopefully) laws and standards will change that will
prevent this from happenging in the future. One thing is for sure: Many
lives could have been saved if they had been more alert and aware of where
the multiple fire exits were. Many people perished because they attempted to
exit through the same door they had entered the building, causing a "log
jam."

Rhode Island is a small state, so it's not surprising to me that I
unfortunately have first-hand knowledge of two separate families that lost a
loved one. I have been very stricken with sadness for the many, many
families that have suffered a great loss.

Had I been there that night with a friend who was concerned about the
location and working condition of the fire exits, I have to admit I probably
would have been one to say "Hey... lighten-up and relax!" I would not take
that attitude today.

So my hope for this email is that the next time you enter a restaurant,
theater, lounge, arena, or wherever there is a large crowd that you take a
moment to find the nearest fire exits and plan a route there. Should fire
break out, follow your planned route immediately, quietly, and swiftly. Once
you are outside you can assist people in an orderly evacuation of the
immediate area so that others can exit the venue.

Again: Please don't reply to this email on the reflector. I thank you for
your time in reading this email, and as always I wish you and yours the very
best.

73,

Mark W1EOF