In reference to your article on firefighter behavior on July 23 ("Visiting firefighters warned about behaving themselves"), Id like to comment on Capt. Stephen G. Fugate, who does not seem to have a clue about the volunteer system in the state of Maryland. I for one have volunteered in Baltimore County for the past 30 years and have never heard a high ranking officer such as Captain Fugate degrade dedicated personnel who give their lives, time and commitment to their communities in and around the city that Captain Fugate works in.

In regard to his attempt to blame volunteers for vandalism in a Baltimore hotel at last year's safety and training expo, I have seen many career personnel get out of hand on many occasions. It just seems to me that he is trying to blame the volunteers for the damage done to the hotel. Captain Fugate might want to get out into his surrounding communities and see how our system works .

C. Hueter