To the editors:

In "Ruminations of a Fire Buff" (Opinion, Oct. 5), Marc Ambinder reveals his fascination and excitement about all things having to do with fire-fighting.

I too am fascinated. But I feel that Ambinder's interest misses the most important aspect of fire-fighting. He gets excited about "the fire engine, the hoses and the nozzles and the rapidly flashing lights and the scream of the siren." What makes me stop and watch, what makes my heart race is something far different. I stop because firefighters are heroes. They wait every day for a call that requires them to put their lives in danger.

Firefighters are like no other people. There is no power and no monetary reward. They do their job with dedication, courage and commitment. Yes, maybe they receive some kind of macho adrenaline rush which makes it worthwhile, but the bottom line is they are everyday heroes. People stop and stare because somewhere deep down all of us wonder whether, if we were placed in the same situation, we could act with the same bravery and selflessness.

It is unfortunate that Ambinder, who is fascinated by all things related to fires and firefighters, did not mention the best part: the people who everyday are willing to risk their lives, who never back down, who never say the moment is not right, but rather with committed hearts and a brotherhood of courage face what all else run away from.

I stop, my head turns, and I stare with fascination because this world has so few heroes left. Every time a truck passes, I know heroes have just gone by. DAVID V. JOFFE '00   Oct. 5, 1998