A NY fire department had to remove American flags from pumper and ladder trucks, following a decision by the Board of Fire Commissioners that the flags could leave the department open to civil liability.
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Union President Joseph Tarquinio, told the paper he’s disappointed in the decision and likening it to flag-burning.
According to Fox News, the city of Seminole, Florida also ordered firefighters to remove the American flags from their fire trucks, citing complaints that the Stars and Stripes was being “inappropriately displayed”.
The flags are a “liability during normal operations for our people and other motorists”, Fire Commissioner Chairman Jim Beretta told the Poughkeepsie Journal.
Give proof through the night that our flags are no longer there.
The Board of Fire Commissioners said it has reached out to Arlington Fire Chief Tory Gallante to discuss a compromise after demanding that his department remove the flags from the back of three trucks, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported Wednesday.
The Board of Fire Commissioners, however, was apparently not consulted about the original decision and found itself split on whether to permit the flags. The flags were recently put up at the request of the union.
But the board struck down the flag raising initiative after a majority of its members voted against it at a Monday meeting.
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After the flags were removed, Gallante said he hopes the outpouring of support will prompt the board to reconsider.
