Firewire drive error on awake from Sleep

Keith Cannataro wrote on :

I have an external firewire drive (QPS M2 20GB). Mac is OS 10.1.2

When I have the Mac awake from sleep I get an error that the drive should have been putaway first before going to sleep.

I called QPS and the answer was that this is just how things are with this type of device/firewire connection.

So, does anyone know of an automated safe method for Sleep. I know I could eject the drive and then manually put to sleep, but what if I wanted this automated.

thanks