To report responsibly

It appears Jack Long, of Orrington (BDN, March 3), like other readers, has not educated himself regarding the use of survival suits and accounts from those people at the scene [of a recent Orono accident in which four dogs drowned].

A survival suit is for surface rescue. The vehicle was already underwater. If the firefighter wearing the suit had gone underwater, the suit would have filled and he would have sunk. Responsible reporting would have informed readers of this fact.

If readers are going to keep this subject in the spotlight, it is time to place blame where it belongs and other parties in this incident should be held more accountable. Seven cars in 10 years is a good indication that the university should have built some type of barrier along that parking lot.

The dive teams contacted by the Orono Fire Department en route to the scene said no because human life was not involved. And Rosemary Ackroyd, who caused the incident in the first place, could have been more responsible in securing her animals and her vehicle.

We all have opinions and we all have the right to voice those opinions. But we all have a responsibility to educate ourselves so that we can be as fully informed about the subject that we are reacting and responding to.

Andrea Hardison

Orono