Flags on fire trucks spark controversy in N.Y. town
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Fire district officials in New York will meet Thursday in the hopes of resolving an issue that has brought national scrutiny to a town of Poughkeepsie organization and led to a heated community debate.
American flags were removed from three Arlington Fire District trucks Tuesday after a directive from the Board of Fire Commissioners, sparking widespread controversy, disappointment from firefighters, and discussion on social media.
In the day that followed, Fire Chief Tory Gallante said he had been inundated with "overwhelmingly supportive" phone calls and emails from across the country. ABC News, Fox News and CBS New York were among the numerous media organizations that picked up the story, parking trucks outside of the fire department's headquarters, and pundits such as Greta Van Susteren and Rush Limbaugh discussed the issue.
Online, opinions from residents varied, as patriotism was debated against possible safety concerns.
Gallante, along with members of the firefighters union, plan to meet with Board Chairman Jim Beretta on Thursday.
Gallante said he hopes "that we can come to a resolution, with the flags being placed back on the apparatus."
The chief was directed by the board to remove the flags from the backs of the trucks during a commissioners' meeting Monday.
At the time, Beretta said the board majority feel the flags are a "liability during normal operations forur people and other motorists," and that the board had not been consulted before the flags were mounted.
The flags, which were only recently mounted on the trucks at the request of the union, were removed Tuesday during a ceremony at Arlington headquarters in the town of Poughkeepsie.
A "rally for the flag" has been scheduled for Saturday at noon in Poughkeepsie.
The Arlington Fire District was not the only local organization to affix flags to its trucks. Hughsonville and Poughkeepsie are among departments that have used cloth flags, while others, including Arlington, feature flag decals on the trucks.
Hughsonville Fire Department members attached one of Arlington's removed flags to its own ladder truck in a ceremony Wednesday evening.
The city of Poughkeepsie Fire Department has displayed the American flag on its trucks since 9/11, according to Chief Mark Johnson. The fire department has received dozens of calls and emails regarding the controversy, primarily from people mistaking the city of Poughkeepsie Fire Department with Arlington.
Online, reaction varied. Hundreds of people expressed outrage at the decision. Others said the display, while patriotic, violated U.S. flag code. Some said there are bigger issues to worry about and that displaying — or not displaying — an American flag does not make one person more patriotic than another.
“These types of issues are becoming way (too) frequent and it’s absolutely disgusting, enough is enough already," said Jason Raleigh of Kingston. "This is the flag of our nation and if this fire department would like to display it on their fire trucks than that should not be an issue, as long as they are secure and safe, which its sounds to me like they were."
Said Merrill Elaine Sunderland of Poughkeepsie: “I'm a proud American, and I'm loyal to my nation. I show my loyalty and pride by serving my fellow citizens. I don't need to have flags hanging everywhere to remind me of which country I'm in. I don't see why this is an issue in the first place. It doesn't matter. It's not a contest to prove who loves America more.”
Follow Nina Schutzman on Twitter: @pojonschutzman