Posted on 12/16/2008 9:03:18 PM PST by buccaneer81
Patriotic helmet needs to go, Newton Fire Chief says
By Ben Terris, Globe Correspondent
A veteran of the Iraq War, Richard Busa is used to fighting for the American flag. But never quite like this.
After more than three years of rushing into fires with his signature red, white and blue helmet, the Newton firefighter has been told to paint it black. Newton Fire Chief Joseph LaCroix wants the patriotic decoration gone, saying it does not conform to the department's rules.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
But I agree with both of you.
> That was what struck me most about his comments.
It’s disturbing, isn’t it? There’s nothing wrong with being a civilian, yet it seems that everyone wants to play soldier.
They are riding within the vehicle. I guarantee the Navy would have something to say if a pilot wanted to put a custom stars-and-stripes paint job on his F/A-18.
This isn't a matter of an authorized emblem like nose art or tail logo...it's painting the whole helmet.
Perhaps he should be allowed to do this in recognition of his service, but then it should be made a policy that allows the privilege to be earned that way. Just an entitlement to special treatment, though? No.
I can’t get to the link right now. We need to have contact infor for this chief so we can give him a piece of our mind.
Some prissy Newton queen probably was “offended” and complained.
Some Army pilots are the same.
I know of quite a few aero-scouts that wear Stetsons with numerous DUI’s (Distinctive Unit Insignia), and other pins such as mini IFOR/SFOR crests from Bosnia, etc.
Free speech/expression does not apply to employers/private workplace. The GOVERNMENT cannot take away your right to free speech. Private employers don’t have to tolerate speech or expressions of yours if they don’t want to. They have the freedom to set uniform standards and if you don’t like it, you don’t work there.
That said, the chief could have continued to make the exception instead of coming across as a ‘rules are rules’ kind of guy.
Well, I don’t think the Anti-Pinkerton Act applies anyway. :-)
Sure is.
It was added in the 1960s, after the plane was in private hands (the Confederate Air Force).
jlacroix@newtonma.gov
Gondring at comment #17 pointed out some uses of helmet and insignia color that I was not aware of.
Firefighting is dangerous work and if helmet colors are used to signify ranks/responsibilities and/or different experience and skill levels, then I’d go with the chief on this one.
I'd say screw the politics, what makes most sense?
Does black (a heat absorbing color) trump red white and blue? Is red white and blue better in terms of visibility when searching in a smoke filled environment for a colleague?
In other words, whatever makes best sense for safety.
My problem is that he’s taken three years to complain about it. I’m wondering why all of a sudden it’s an issue? That smells to me. Who complained?
Maybe he could paint it black and get some nice, reflective, patriotic decals if he must?
http://westonsigns.com/home.php?cat=251
It's Newton. Ground zero for gay indoctrination in public schools, stamp of approval for looking at porn in the library and librarians who go out of their way to help Al-Queda.
I can guarantee you somebody whined about it.
I'm sure we can dig up plenty of WWII issue "nose art"
Only reason he is having to ditch his paint scheme is its resemblance to the Stars and Strips. Che would probably be acceptable.
Screw the Chief. I hope enough Newtonians bitch about the decision to shame the Chief into letting him wear it.
I know Richie Busa. What it doesn’t say in the article is that he is a purple heart vet of the iraq war.
The fire department is a “quasi-military operation” there is a chain of command, usually starting at 2nd LT, then 1st LT, then Captain, then possibly Assistant Chief(s) and Department Chief. My Department has 4 2nd LT’s, 4 1st’s, 4 Captains and 1 Chief with three Assistant Chiefs!
> The fire department is a “quasi-military operation” there is a chain of command, usually starting at 2nd LT, then 1st LT, then Captain, then possibly Assistant Chief(s) and Department Chief. My Department has 4 2nd LT’s, 4 1st’s, 4 Captains and 1 Chief with three Assistant Chiefs!
I know that it has been popular amongst some fire brigades and police departments to view themselves as “quasi-military” — particularly of late — but with due respect, aside from job titles you could be describing any hierarchical organization, including private corporations such as banks.
Aside from titles and structure, what aspect of the Fire Brigade is “quasi-military?”
It doesn’t carry weapons, it isn’t subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and it isn’t staffed by military personnel or funded by the Defense budget.
There’s nothing wrong with being a Civilian who does dangerous things, and there’s nothing even wrong with being very disciplined and maybe even structured about how things are done. I’m not convinced that directly translates into being “quasi-military” in the sense that the Fire Brigade and Police Department like to view themselves.
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