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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.
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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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.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
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Permalink Reply by Beverly on
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There are several issues here:
1) What about the separation of Church and State...if they want to remove "under God" and the Ten Commandments from public places and the Pledge of Allegiance then keep the law out of churches.
2) When was the last time someone accidentally burned down a church? Most fires at houses of worship are started on purpose by ignorant, fearful, self serving people who have no tolerance for others.
3) If the Chief has been imposing this on his church for several years why is it just now that he feels the need to enforce it on other churches?
4) Does the $400 go to the fire department or the individual firefighters? Could they choose to volunteer at their churches candelight service?
5) Are the OFF DUTY firefighters required to arrive in full turnout gear and be conspicuous or do they just mingle and fit in? Do they arrive just in time for the lighting ceremony and then depart immediately thereafter....disturbing the service no matter how quietly and respectfully they behave? And if that is the case then it is $400 for about 15 minutes work...so that should just be $100 (15 minutes x4 firefighters @ $100/hr=$100).
6)What is the cost of the permit on top of the $400 for firefighters? Does Homewood keep the money or is it passed along to the Fire Dept.?
7) Yes, we all need to be safe and open flame ANYWHERE can cause a fire (hands up for anyone who has fought one of those caused by a candle left unattended at home) but common sense cannot be legislated.
8) There is always the choice of battery operated candles, not quite as pretty but inheritantly safer.
Merry and safe Christmas to all!
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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Really? You're going to turn this into another issue of church and state? It's a local ordinance, passed by the local government. Sorry to tell you this but the law does not cease to exist inside a church. If that were the case then there would be no prosecution of priests preying upon young boys. Or preachers and their gay escorts. Or preachers being arrested for misuse of church funds. Damn those damn laws.
Please provide links and verifiable data regarding your comments on how churches burn down. Those were amazingly broad statements.
I'm guessing the chief's religion/denomination is the only true one and he wants to harass the other ones.
Gee...if only there had been a linked article with more information on who gets paid and what the permit fee goes towards.
No, common sense can not be legislated, neither can it be relied upon to actually be common sense. If that were the case, most laws wouldn't be necessary.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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$10.00 a candle! Who's with me?
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How bout they just have someone stand ready with a fire extinguisher. Do you really need 4 firefighters?
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Permalink Reply by THOMAS on
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Looks like a Lawsuit waiting to happen! Infringing on religious practices. If a church can show that they have done this service in the past, and it has been a part of there religious practice. I don’t think any city, county or state has leg to stand on? And Remember the Fire Department is their for the community. And if the local fire department can’t get some of their fireman to volunteer there time free of charges for this service there is something wrong. I don’t think this is very good PR for the local fire service or there town’s elected Officials. BAD MOVE.
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