The recent killing of nine parishioners at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in downtown Charleston, S.C. sparked a national discussion over the historic and symbolic display of the Confederate battle flag.
This resulted from a photo of the alleged killer holding this flag in a Facebook posting. This individual also allegedly indicated his motive in these killings was to a start a “race war.”
The fire service was thrown into the fray by a volunteer firefighter over the Independence Day holiday. A fire truck from the Hartland (Minn.) Fire Department participated in a nearby community’s parade displaying both the Confederate battle flag and the American flag from the rear of the apparatus.
I am not going to cover any individual’s First Amendment right to free speech, but this situation is worthy of examination from a fire service perspective.
First let’s review some history.
The flag in question is not that of the Confederate States of America. Battle flags were used in the Civil War by both the Union and Confederates to delineate the battle lines and show the progress of troops as they engaged each other.
While many states on both sides had their own battle flags, the one we have grown to call the “Stars and Bars” historically has become akin to that of the Confederate armies.
Volunteer firefighting’s role
Firefighters and firefighting played key roles in the Civil War. Volunteer firefighters in both the North and the South formed many of their own military regiments and served with honor throughout the war.
The most memorable of these were probably the Zouaves from New York who wore very distinct and colorful uniforms into battle. But nearly every state including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Georgia had units made up solely from the ranks of firefighters.
In fact, in some areas both North and South, the motto of firefighters in the Civil War was “In peace firefighters — In war soldiers.”
Fire also was a most feared weapon used by both sides. From the rioters who attempted to burn New York City in 1863 to Sherman’s March to the Sea and the burning of Richmond, fire was used to burn anything of worth, create pandemonium and/or deprive the enemy of useful supplies.
Often, however, it spread uncontrolled to kill, maim and destroy the lives of ordinary citizens.
Usurped symbol
Following the Civil War, veterans of both sides continued to gather and reminisce fighting old battles and discussing what might have been. These annual meetings subsided primarily when the nation united to fight other wars, particularly both World Wars I and II.
But in the 1950s during the beginning of what we now know as the Civil Rights Era, some segregationists hijacked the Confederate battle flag and made it the symbol of their cause.
After the Supreme Court struck down the separate-but-equal segregation in education and public facilities, this symbol was also used by several hate groups including the Ku Klux Klan to intimidate integrationists.
It is understandable why symbolically this raises great concern when used by groups or individuals such as the alleged Charleston killer, while historically it remains a part of our collective American heritage.
Common oath
Beside the obvious, why does the Confederate battle flag’s use on a Minnesota fire truck cause any concern?
One of the common threads we have as firefighters is our oath of office that we take when we first pin on our badges. In part we vow to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States, the constitution of our state and the laws of our community.
We also agree to respect the authority of those chiefs, officers and elected officials over us. In part that includes the chain of command within our departments.
What that oath infers is that when we participate in the activities of the department, it’s not about our individual rights to express ourselves. It is that our individual expression may be held in check so as not to negatively reflect upon the organization we represent — in this case the Hartland Fire Department — whether that is our intent or not.
Such is the case with the flag displayed on the fire truck. It might be an individual’s right to display this or any other flag, but when it is attached to a vehicle so closely aligned with a community, it gives the appearance that all in that jurisdiction agree with the symbol it represents.
That doesn’t appear to be the case in Hartland.
I don’t envy the position of Hartland Fire Chief Trent Wangen, but we can and should use this incident to understand these three lessons learned.
Don’t assume anonymity
Social media reaches everywhere, whether in a village of 400, like Hartland, or in whatever size is your jurisdiction. Don’t assume you are too small to be noticed. Camera phones and social media access are everywhere.
This issue came to light when a spectator at the Albert Lea parade texted a picture of the Hartland fire truck to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. No one from the newspaper was actually present.
Seek permission
Common sense dictates that when you plan to do something that might be out of the ordinary, ask permission. If in doubt, pass it by another person or especially up the chain of command for agreement.
In this case, it is better to ask permission than forgiveness. It is both respectful to the officers and makes them aware in the event they get that phone call from the mayor or administer asking if they know what’s happening in their department.
Stay neutral
A fire department must be apolitical — that is, indifferent to political or social issues. The department exists for the common good of all — your residents, your public officials and all those you would serve when the tones go off regardless of their beliefs, values or social status.
That is why firefighters and the fire service are held in esteem by so many. We do a difficult job, we do it well and we ask little or nothing in return.
