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Mayor Cohen responds to firefighter's decorated helmet

Like all Americans, I salute Firefighter Busa's service to our nation. We are all indebted to the men and women who have served overseas to protect our freedom back home.

At issue is not patriotism or freedom of speech however. There are clear regulations governing firefighters' uniforms. In fact, Chief LaCroix has permitted exceptions to these regulations, allowing for smaller stickers (including American flags, a symbol of solidarity with the six firefighters who died in the line of duty in Worcester and with the victims of 9/11, shamrocks, etc.) to be affixed to helmets.   Firefighter Busa has covered his entire helmet in red, white and blue, stripes and some stars, ostensibly to represent the flag. This goes beyond what Chief LaCroix , himself a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, felt was acceptable.

I believe the two main issues for the Chief were (1) precedence, and (2) the importance of his people to follow and respect rules and orders. If Chief LaCroix allows Firefighter Busa's display on his helmet, then he is allowing every firefighter in the Department to decorate theirs as well. It is the duty of Chief LaCroix's to maintain a level of professionalism within his department. If we had 160 different decorations on each firefighter helmet, that would be compromised. Furthermore, while most of us can agree that displaying an American flag is not offensive - far from it - by allowing each firefighter the descretion to choose his or her display, it is easy to see how other choices for display could be offensive to others. Secondly, rules and regulations are in place to maintain the integrity of the chain of command, and also to protect the safety of firefighters. It simply cannot be up to firefighters to choose which rules they decide to follow.

Finally, I would add helmets are part of their City issued uniforms and are City property. They also undergo NFPA certification as part of the protective ensemble firefighters are to wear. Any modification made to them compromises their certification, and in some cases may threaten firefighter safety (ie. covering up reflective material). The helmet is designed to protect firefighters, and they are not canvasses for firefighters' self expression.

I am hopeful that the matter can be resolved quickly and fairly, so the men and women of the Newton Fire Department can return to their important work of protecting the safety and property of the residents of Newton without further distraction.

I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season.

Mayor David Cohen

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