The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
Alabama Fire Chief Revives Candlelight Service Law
HOMEWOOD, Ala. — Homewood's fire chief says churches holding Christmas Eve candlelight services must get a permit and pay four off-duty firefighters $100 each to monitor safety.
Pastors of several churches in Homewood say they had no knowledge of the regulations.
Fire Chief John Bresnan says the permit law has been on the books for more than 10 years. Bresnan says he has required Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, which he attends, to request a permit and have firefighters on hand.
The Birmingham News reports that Edgewood Presbyterian Church, a small church that expects about 200 people at its Christmas Eve candlelight service, was recently notified of the requirements.
Pastor Sid Burgess says he thinks the requirement seems like overkill, and he says the $400 payment is a lot for a small church.
___
Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Pastors of several churches in Homewood say they had no knowledge of the regulations.
Fire Chief John Bresnan says the permit law has been on the books for more than 10 years. Bresnan says he has required Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, which he attends, to request a permit and have firefighters on hand.
The Birmingham News reports that Edgewood Presbyterian Church, a small church that expects about 200 people at its Christmas Eve candlelight service, was recently notified of the requirements.
Pastor Sid Burgess says he thinks the requirement seems like overkill, and he says the $400 payment is a lot for a small church.
___
Information from: The Birmingham News, http://www.al.com/birminghamnews
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
-
Hmmmmm....I wonder what the fine is for holding a Candlelight Service without a permit?
If the fine is less than $400, I would suspect that some churches may risk it.
-
Permalink Reply by Scott Baublitz on
-
I want to get paid to do a standby at birthday parties too...They have candles.
-
Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
-
Hmm....a cake with 6 candles in a private home versus a filled (public space) church (or storefront church) with dozens (or hundreds) of candles. Which presents the greater risk? Hairspray is flammable and seems to be used to excess on certain occasions.
I can't imagine that a church would rather risk a fine over the well being of their parishioners but then again, I could be wrong.
-
Permalink Reply by Steven on
-
My last birthday cake had 36 candles on it. That was pretty bright... There was an "off-duty" firefighter present at the time.
On the story, has there been a high incidence of church fires started by open flame during a candlelight service? Seems like something is missing from that story.
-
-
I was thinking the same thing, there has to be something missing. I would hate to se them do that where I live. Being in the "Bible Belt" we would not have enough firefighters for every church to be covered.
-
-
Not that it's a joke but that was kinda funny...
Sounds like they need an ounce of prevention. Better education on fire safety rather than stationing two off-duty firefighters at every church service involving candles.
Besides, they're off-duty, what are they going to do if a candle drops to the floor and sets the room on fire? Help evacuate the church and call the fire department?
Couldn't church ushers do that?
Granted, a firefighter is more comfortable using a fire extinguisher to put out a small candle fire than the "average" person but beyond that. They probably wouldn't even have turnout gear...
-
-
"...churches holding Christmas Eve candlelight services must get a permit...
Not for every service, just for the christmas eve one.
Bresnan said the law does not apply when only priests and altar servers light candles. It applies to indoor services that involve handing out candles to all.
The city requires churches to hire Homewood firefighters because they have equipment to reach the city's dispatchers, Bresnan said, but provides the trucks at city expense.
Edgewood Presbyterian Church, a small church that expects about 200 people at its Christmas Eve candlelight service...
Pastor Sid Burgess says he thinks the requirement seems like overkill, and he says the $400 payment is a lot for a small church.
$400 / 200 people = $2 per person. Doesn't seem exorbitant to me. Small price to pay to have a few hundred people hanging around with lit candles. I would think that each off duty FF would have an extinguisher at hand.
The actual linked article is more interesting. Apparently the church(es) feel that since this has been ongoing for (hundreds of) years they must know what they are doing. So then churches should not be required to abide by fire and building codes?
-
Permalink Reply by Zeke Harman on
-
I wonder if it aint a just an easy way to stick 400 dollars in someones pocket and go on their marry way
-
Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
-
$400 / 200 people = $2 per person. Doesn't seem exorbitant to me. Small price to pay to have a few hundred people hanging around with lit candles.
And the church can do a second collection to pay for the permit as well. :-)
-
-
I see that there is a higher level of danger having 200 candles in a closed room. But there is also a higher amount of danger to the public during the 4th of July, and new years. I have never seen an off duty firefighter at the fireworks stand waiting on a bad day. I've never seen one at the gas pump when the idiot next to me is smoking while filling up. (Granted I say something about that.) I looked back there are over 20 churches within city limits that do this in my town. Some of them have 300-550 people who show up for these events. It would be a nightmare if the town I lived in did this. I hope it works for them and I hope they make tons of money on it.
"Merry Christmas go get your candle, say a prayer,and don't forget to tip that firefighter on you way out. God Bless!"
-
-
And I thought the issue was just candles in a church on christmas eve.
If the guy selling fireworks traditionally works with or near an open flame then I'm fairly sure he would be required to have some measure(s) of precaution.
Not sure about where you're at but where I am, State FMO bans smoking at the gas pumps.
"It would be a nightmare if the town I lived in did this" Yeah an absolute tragedy, much worse than a church actually going up in flames with a massive loss of life and/or injury.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
