With the economic downturn many of our communities now have a variety of vacant and / or abandoned buildings. As the homeless population increases, many of these buildings become frequent targets for transients to live for long or short periods. They often make small modifications, bring the things they need with them to live and sometimes make makeshift cooking and toileting facilities – and almost none of these vacant buildings have utilities. They often become attractive nuisances for youth or for those undertaking criminal activity. One side of the argument is that firefighters should not enter vacant or abandoned structures – because it’s principally about property protection and there isn’t supposed to be anyone in there. On the other hand – how can we be certain that there is no one in there – and can a fire department decide simply to not send anyone in even when there is a good chance they could put the fire out in its incipient stages without endangering the rest of the community or other structures if the fire goes unchecked. Post a convincing discussion about how you feel on the issue – Should we commit firefighters to search and potential rescue or suppression operations in vacant buildings? Why or why not?