This video alledgedly shows an in-service fire truck on stand by for a Mod Bog event. It appears the driver made a run at the mod bog pit with the engine.

 

So if it truly is the case, what do you think the public's preception would be should this actually occur in your town and/or if the apparatus became damaged?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir9lyYm4aw4&feature=PlayList&am...

 

What your thoughts on this FFN?

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I have often seen in service apparatus or ambulance and crews volunteer to standby at special sporting events. It shows community spirit, and is good for department image and public relations. As long as the town etc is still covered and response to emergencies is not delayed or interupted in any way, this could be a good thing. However, IF this unit is still owned and operated by a government ( town, city, municipal etc etc) and is relied upon to respond to emergencies, and the unit is still certified, mechanically safe and maintained etc, abusing this equipment as depicted in the video is insane and the person authorizing its use for this, must be ...... well not given a pat on the back, or a raise in pay, or an award of any kind, or promotion.. or or or or..
get my drift???
what a shame!
I have no idea if the allegation is true, but I can imagine (and wince) what my chief would do if anyone at our department even drove our engine off road! The public perception will vary widely but it sounds like someone was enjoying the show. :-/
Tax payers dollars paying for this vehicle? I think it was foolish. Just because you're challenged to do something doesn't mean you have to do it. Go home and get your own vehicle and give it a go.
The "stand-by" isn't an issue in my book providing your area still has coverage...the Idea of some idiot trying to run a $300,000 engine in the mud is....This is irresponsible, unprofessional and down right dangerous...someones ass would be out to hang...or should be
I am surprised it did not get stuck.

And "bogg'n" an taxpayer owned engine is as about as dumb as it gets.
I have a feeling this is one of those situations where since the rig didn't get stuck/damaged, everyone came up smelling like roses. It may have also been a set-up for PR. Just some surface wetting to make it look like a quagmire.
The issue is not eh stand by, that is actually wonderful PR, in many cases maybe a revenue generator for a department. The question posed was the "off-road" use and preception of such use by potential taxpayers. Again a Leadership by Example thread...
It is hard enough to keep emergency equipment in good repair and ready to respond to an emergency where someones life and property need protection. To treat an emergency vehicle like this "just for fun" is not very smart to say the least. This must be an agency that has more money then they know what to do with. If something went wrong the repair, or replacement cost alone to most agencies in the area I live would put a real strain on a budget. That driver should be disciplined, in my opinion. Standing by at community events is great for moral and keeping your department in the public eye. One bad action like this can turn taxpayers against a department for a long time. That is very important when it comes to asking those taxpayers for raising a tax levy for what a new truck? Or maybe supporting firefighters or firefighter causes.
If that happened here whoever was driving the apparatus and the officer in charge of said apparatus would be suspended posthaste, and likely would be permanently relieved of driving and officer duties.
Sad indeed. We need to remember who we are and Who we represent at all times. This also applies to anyone who has a "Firefighter sticker" of any kind on their personal vehicle too. aka "Road Rage". Always be thinking. Keep your nose clean. Stay my Brothers and Sisters. You are a family.

Be Trainable and Stay Safe Out There,
J.D.
This is nothing but child's play. I know in our department our Chief would have not so nice words for our department if was to happen. The apparatus are to expensive to purchase or even repair. I disagree with this, but this is only my opinion.
This isn't the smartest thing to do. The driver was lucky he didn't get it stuck in the mud but if I were the chief the driver and crew, would be cleaning that rig till it looked like it came off the show room floor.

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