This is an interesting story. How many of you read Dr. Burt Clark’s October commentary at Firehouse.com about witnessing firefighters unbelted at a parade he was involved in? Here it is if you missed it. Well this story seems to have a connection.
In Pompano Beach, Florida, firefighters refused to give Santa Claus a ride in last night’s annual holiday parade because he wouldn’t wear a seatbelt. The motivation is being questioned by some because this has never been an issue in the past. Critics point out the union is at an impasse in contract negotiations with the city.
Instead, Santa was in the custody of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office who put him aboard its SWAT wagon, allowing him to stand up through the hatch at the roof of the vehicle. Parade officials had gone to Broward Sheriff Fire-Rescue to find wheels for Santa, but apparently they sided with the firefighters of Pompano Beach Fire Rescue on this one.
Here are excerpts from an article by the Sun-Sentinel’s Larry Barzewski:
The firefighters union, which is at impasse in its contract negotiations with the city, said standard operating procedures require all passengers to be seated and restrained by a seat belt when riding on a fire apparatus.
“It places all liability on the driver-engineer and the person that supervises the driver,” said Rich Sandell, president of the Pompano Beach Professional Firefighters union. He denied that the refusal had anything to do with the negotiations.
Pompano Fire Chief Harry Small, who has been on the force for 33 years, said “Santa’s pretty much always been on the fire department trucks” at the parade. Not until this year did Santa’s safety become such an issue that he couldn’t ride atop the truck.
Sandell had sought modifications to the rules to reduce liability, but Small said he didn’t see any reason for that.
“We had, in my opinion, a perfectly safe situation,” said Small, whose firefighters build the platform Santa usually uses when riding atop a fire truck. “We didn’t think that Santa Claus was at any time at any risk.”
Also on STATter911 …
- Pompano Beach Firefighter William Elliott dies in fall from aerial ladder. Occurred during drill at Station 61. – January 6, 2012
- Bah! Humbug! Did DC’s mayor play Scrooge for cops & firefighters over the holidays leaving them out of the holiday bonus? Vince Gray says no. Unions say yes. – December 25, 2012
- Chicago ride-along controversy: Columnist uses opening scene of Backdraft to explain latest battle between Commissioner Hoff & Inspector General. – January 27, 2012
- Four Fort Lauderdale firefighters arrested on fake certification scheme. Former firefighter who is president of safety firm also charged. – October 17, 2012
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Oh come on! Just because you guys are at an impasse doesnt mean you need to be jack asses!
I don’t think negotiations has anything to do with this. Florida law exempts drivers/passengers in vehicles that exceed 26,000 GVW from wearing seat belts. Not knowing the weight of the FD vehicle, I don’t know if they are exempt from wearing them. However, common sense, and perhaps Department Policy require th use of seatbelts. Also, what is the message it sends to the citizens if we don’t always promote the use of seatbelts? Parade or not, I agree with Dr. Clark and the firefighters, wear seat belts 100% of the time, no exceptions.
I BELIEVE WE ARE ALL REQUIRED TO WEAR SEATBELTS. However, it is a parade and how fast will they be driving in a parade?? If you were to look up at all the “Public” parades that are done nationwide, I will bet that the majority of the “ride alongs” werent/arent wearing seatbelts.
I was just looking at pictures of a FD back east driving santa in the Tower…LOL where is the Seat belts there??
As much as I dont wanna believe it isnt a union issue, its hard not to look past it. If they werent at an impasses, do you really believe this would of happened??
i think they should make checks on the firefighter and see if they wear their seatbelts al the time and if they dont fire them on the spot i have been a lt for 7 years and can remember a handful of times i put my seatbelt on
The IAFF, destroying the public trust and good will one contract at a time. Nice work, I’m sure the cops appreciated the ability to look good for the mayor!
Sorry I can’t agree with not letting Santa ride in the parade. As a supervisor or a driver I would not have a problem with this -it is a parade not an emergency responce or even a ride down road under normal circunstance.Common sence was left at the impasse table.It makes firefighters seem petty and whiney that they are not getting what they want.Not a good way to get your point across.
Oh my the bunny petters have taken over Christmas. It makes me ashamed to be a fireman these days.
Yeh and where is that BIG FAT CLOWN’s safety vest????
I think that big ole fat outta shape guy in the red suit is not physically fit enough to fight fires. We wouldn’t want some big fat outta shape guy goin to fight fires, hell he might have a heart attack!!
Well on second thought, strike all that, just let Santa on the truck fere CHrists sake.