Thursday, December 18, 2008

Freedom of Speech vs. Fire Helmets

Can a firefighter paint his fire helmet red white and blue as a show a patriotism? If so can firefighters paint their helmets pink as part of a breast cancern awareness program? Can a firefighter of Irish descent paint his helment in the colors of his heritage? Interesting discussions have arisen over the Newton (MA) firefighter who painted his helment red, white and blue.

http://www.wickedlocal.com/newton/news/x1435864499/Newton-firefighter-with-flag-helmet-may-leave-department

http://nfpa.typepad.com/fireservicetoday/

Interesting discussion - and fully addressed in Chapter 13 of Fire Officer's Legal Handbook - www.firelaw.biz.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

As long as helmet color isn't used to keep the ranks separate(or departments in a mutual aid system, and there is no inappropriate language or images displayed, where is the harm?