Smoke detectors just Band-Aid? Absurd

I would like to respond to the April 11 Personal View column ofAlex A. Burkholder headlined "Smoke detectors just a Band-Aid."

I have been a fireman for 17 years. I had the privilege ofworking on a tough smoke-detector ordinance for the City of Chicago.Through the hard work of many people, it became a reality.

In fires, death's principal ally is smoke, not flames. Thecontents of residences and especially bedrooms, with newpetro-chemical bases such as polyvinyl chloride - which emits some ofthe deadliest smoke - can accomplish their lethal work long beforethe flames have spread to the structure itself.

Burkholder asks: "What of the tenant in the …