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Apparently there has been a resolution to the controversy in the City of Seminole after a protest yesterday because of an order to remove American flags from fire trucks. The department had been acting on a complaint from a concerned citizen that the way the flags were attached to the rigs did not meet the regulations outlined in the U.S. Code for the proper display of the flag. The flags are expected to be back on the fire trucks by the end of the week.
Chief George Bessler told Bay News 9 on Monday proper flag mounts have been ordered and a local company will supply proper flags for the engines to fly the flags by the end of the week.
The order to remove the flags came from Bessler after the department received a complaint from a community member about flag placement on the fire engines.
He’s glad his firefighters are getting support on this, glad the community is hearing about how to properly respect the flag, and that people are also raising concerns…
“They should be asking questions when the government makes decisions,”
“You can’t just go out and buy flag mounts for fire engines at a local store but what you can do is fabricate them. So we have a shop fabricating them as we speak — stainless steel flag holders.”
The department will also start using a local vendor that sells American-made flags.
The City of Seminole has never been opposed to flying the U.S. flag on our vehicles as long as long as it met code,” explained Fire Chief George Bessler.
Bessler spent much of Monday responding to phone calls and email. Bessler said most people “…understand what the actual issue was, that we’re not opposed to flying the flag but it really had to do with making sure that we were respectful.”
Anne Lindberg, Tampa Bay Times:
The flags will likely be mounted on the trucks by the end of this week. Seminole City Manager Frank Edmunds said the city’s maintenance department is making clamps so the flag can be fixed to the right front fender, as the U.S. Flag Code dictates.
“We’ve never taken the position that we do not want flags,” Edmunds said Monday. But “if we’re going to (display them), we’re going to do it right.”
Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.
Also on STATter911 …
- Protest in City of Seminole, FL after American flag ordered off rigs. Chief says they were being improperly flown. – July 16, 2012
- UPDATE – DC fire chief admits bad information about fleet given to city council. Ellerbe says maintenance chief at fault will retire. Thanks union for bringing it to light despite mayor’s aide saying IAFF is ‘fabricating’ apparatus stories. – March 13, 2013
- Handling the bad news: Estero, Florida firefighters say chief ordered them to leave fire engine & serve alcohol, topless at private fundraiser. Fire commission extends stories life with vague answers. – December 20, 2011
- Update on Miami-Dade confrontation video: Situation under review. No disciplinary action at this time. Department says they are allowed to secure landing zones. – March 23, 2013
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This is probably the move that should have been made to begin with, instead of taking them down.
The articles have been very vague as whether or not the flags ACTUALLY were improperly displayed.
Really who would think it would be a good idea to order the removal of the american flag from a fire engine, right before the start pf the olympics no less.
I believe flag code also says if the flag is flown after dark it must be illuminated. How they gonna do that?? Or will they be removed at night?
We used to have a flag attached to the back of the truck with one of our spots lighting it. Don’t know how proper it was but we received many positive comments (and thanks for lighting it) from the public.
Well folks, personally if this is such a big US Code issue, then about 95% of the country is in the wrong… I think displaying the flag is the right thing to do.. They should have let the flag fly, until they were able to make a stand that is appropriate.. NEVER EVER bring down the American Flag… Also whoever called this in and complained, should get their head examined, THIS IS SHOWING PRIDE…. YES AMERICAN PRIDE.. Something that is hard to find.. Fire Chief, I understand your rule, I just don’t like how you executed the rule.. You could have simple said keep it flying until we can get a stand for the flag built.. Since You are a Scout Leader then please go back to your history books on how the flag is to be displayed,, you will find a few missing points.. I am an EAGLE SCOUT and the American Flag has been my way of life, I DO TEACH how to and why we display the flag.. and I have been in touch with fire fighters all over the states, and your fire fighters WERE displaying the flag correctly and with pride.. The person who complained is WRONG WRONG WRONG.. Read the WHOLE US Code THE WHOLE Code..
Thanks and I hope all of you out there Continue to show USA and American Pride..
Remember BUY All USA Flags from USA/America America MADE FLAGS are the only legal flags to be flown. READ THE CODE.. Same goes for the State Flags too..
The flag only has to be illuminated if it is going be placed in front of a fixed structure and hosted above 7 feet then it has to be illuminated… if the American Flag is to be flown 24 hours a day. If it is not going to be flown 24 hours a day then it is to be raised at the beginning of the day and taken down at the end of the day, usually dawn and dusk..If it is attached to a vehicle then the flag must be removed and taken in to protect it from the weather, or the whole vehicle must be placed in a weather proof area so the flag is protected.
NO American FLAG should ever touch the ground. All Flags should be folded correctly and properly before storing them. The stars should always be the last fold so that they are showing. The STARS must always being showing.