While many fire departments across the nation were actively participating in the national stand down for firefighter safety this week, one fire department was busy trying to temper news reports that its fire school festivities got out of hand over the weekend.

Fire Chief John Chapin, New London (Ohio) Volunteer Fire Department, said he knew nothing about the stand down: "I haven't heard anything about it." But Chapin said his department had hosted the annual Northwest Ohio Volunteer Fireman's Association's convention last weekend. He said that his department of 30 volunteer firefighters and had just put on a "great fire school and wonderful parade." While the fire school was great, according to sources, visiting firefighters raised havoc and the evening activities turned ugly.

Westlake (Ohio) Fire Inspector Jason Casey said the Friday night parade of more than 30 pieces of fire apparatus had firefighters, civilian adults and children "hanging off the tailboards, on the sides, standing on discharge nozzles and many with open beer containers driving down these state roads (at posted speed limits) while blasting the horns and flashing their lights."

Casey said one person fell off a moving fire truck and broke an arm. A young girl working at a McDonald's told Casey she was shown digital pictures of naked women parading around the NOVFA headquarters for this event. Casey saw a firefighter urinating outside a dumpster.

Shocked, Casey went over to the park. Firefighters on their department vehicles were driving around, yelling obscenities and encouraging young women to lift their tops for beads.

"There were more beads than you would ever find in New Orleans," he said. "A Girl Scout leader was sexually harassed at her booth in front of her troop. The band stopped playing and left because too many naked people were on stage."

A number of area fire departments have refused to host the NOVFA convention due to escalating problems, but members of the New London Volunteer Fire Department believed they could control the situation. On the NLVD Web site, the rules of participation in the convention were clearly spelled out, as well as rules for the campground near the park for visiting firefighters, The rules, however, were obviously ignored.

Casey's complaints to authorities were dismissed with remarks that it was "just booze cruisin'" and "they were just blowing off steam." When he cited the NFPA standards prohibiting riding on tailboards, one NOVFA association member replied he didn't know NFPA standards applied to "volunteer departments."

Heard enough?

According to Chief Chapin, the visiting firefighters were at fault. When asked why his department didn't try to control the unsafe and inappropriate behavior, he replied, "No comment" and hung up.

Ohio State Fire Marshal's office spokesman Pieter Wykoff explained that the OSFM has no jurisdiction over the local fire departments. He added that when Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Gerry Robinson was a fire chief, he would not allow the convention in his area.

Jason Casey plans to voice his concerns at an upcoming local council meeting, in spite of being "advised to shut up" and accused of not being a "team player." I'm sure other safety and/or training officers have incurred the same resistance when voicing concerns about unsafe or inappropriate actions. With any luck, Casey won't be a lone voice at that council meeting.

The real shame is that the Ohio state chiefs' association, state firefighters' association and training academy are among the strongest in the nation. The behavior of a small percentage has left a bad image of firefighters in those that witnessed their rampage. Whether you're wearing a Class A uniform, turnout gear or a navy blue "Fire Department" (or EMS) T-shirt, you represent every firefighter across the country. Riding in a fire truck or other emergency vehicle is an honor not to be taken lightly.

Who is going to stop the stupidity and "booze cruising" on fire apparatus? It may make for good TV, but it's damn dangerous behavior and an element of culture that must be not be tolerated. I'm afraid New London isn't the only place it happens in this county.

Janet Wilmoth, Editor