JimSpoor
11-11-2002, 06:05
Pa. Fire Squad Quits Over Dispute
KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- A volunteer fire squad that directs traffic in emergencies quit en masse when its chief was prohibited from using a red light and siren.
Kutztown Fire Police members said Fire Company Chief Robert Hauck's refusal to grant Lt. Gregory Heid authority to use the light and siren confirmed suspicions they weren't being taken seriously.
"There have been instances when people felt slighted, ridiculed," said Dick Diehm, fire police captain. "I just got to the point where my head is softer than a brick wall."
Fire police, widely used in rural areas, are volunteers who assist with traffic and crowd control at emergencies and special events. They respond to fires, accidents and other calls.
Heid was allowed to flash a blue light, but Fire Police members said that wasn't good enough because blue doesn't command the same respect as red or let Heid run red traffic lights.
Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press
I don't know whether what the chief is doing is right or not but I do know this:
At least in the area I am familiar with, the fire police are often older members who feel they can best serve their volunteer depts. by providing scene security and directing traffic, keeping onlookers away, etc. Often, they are veterans of their depts who ate smoke and pulled hose for years, sometimes decades. They usually are using personal vehicles, flares, etc. on traffic scenes and often remain there for hours, without relief. Often the first ones on scene because the other members are bringing fire apparatus, they must provide first response and most important prevent further injuries and damage until the trucks arrive.
The misconception among civilians that they can ignore the "old fireman" and don't have to follow his directions is widespread. If the department chief feels that equipping the Lt. with emergency warning devices is inappropiate, then perhaps the department needs to provide a fire police response vehicle. I wonder if the VFD provides the chief a take-home vehicle? Many do.
I can see both sides on this one, though.
KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- A volunteer fire squad that directs traffic in emergencies quit en masse when its chief was prohibited from using a red light and siren.
Kutztown Fire Police members said Fire Company Chief Robert Hauck's refusal to grant Lt. Gregory Heid authority to use the light and siren confirmed suspicions they weren't being taken seriously.
"There have been instances when people felt slighted, ridiculed," said Dick Diehm, fire police captain. "I just got to the point where my head is softer than a brick wall."
Fire police, widely used in rural areas, are volunteers who assist with traffic and crowd control at emergencies and special events. They respond to fires, accidents and other calls.
Heid was allowed to flash a blue light, but Fire Police members said that wasn't good enough because blue doesn't command the same respect as red or let Heid run red traffic lights.
Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press
I don't know whether what the chief is doing is right or not but I do know this:
At least in the area I am familiar with, the fire police are often older members who feel they can best serve their volunteer depts. by providing scene security and directing traffic, keeping onlookers away, etc. Often, they are veterans of their depts who ate smoke and pulled hose for years, sometimes decades. They usually are using personal vehicles, flares, etc. on traffic scenes and often remain there for hours, without relief. Often the first ones on scene because the other members are bringing fire apparatus, they must provide first response and most important prevent further injuries and damage until the trucks arrive.
The misconception among civilians that they can ignore the "old fireman" and don't have to follow his directions is widespread. If the department chief feels that equipping the Lt. with emergency warning devices is inappropiate, then perhaps the department needs to provide a fire police response vehicle. I wonder if the VFD provides the chief a take-home vehicle? Many do.
I can see both sides on this one, though.