The Official Jo A. Hiestand Fan Club

I often wonder if I communicate well.  For someone who has written thirteen soon-to-be-published books, this may seem like an odd question to harbor.  But I do.  An example: I needed some information about arson detection.  I could not email my acquaintance at the Matlock fire station because my new (current) novel is set elsewhere in Derbyshire.  So I went on the Internet, found the district that would service my village, and emailed the station my questions.  I stated who I was, gave my website address so they could look me to (thus adding credibility to my request for info), stated I had ten published novels, etc.  I emailed my message.  Well, you guessed correctly: I have yet to hear from anyone and it's been three weeks.  You can't tell me everyone at that fire station, or the person who mans the website messages, has been busy for three weeks.  I am amazed at how many emails I send to people, asking for information, that end up ignored.  Do they think I'm an arsonist looking for data?  I should think my website would show that I am genuine.  So now where do I go for info?  I hate to fake it in my book, but it's important to have the facts.  I wouldn't have asked the questions if I didn't need to know.  If you have a solution to this lack of response, please tell me -- I'm out of ideas.