PHOENIX — Phoenix firefighters are upset over having to remove decals from 500 city fire trucks and ambulances.
KPHO reported that the slogan, “Our family helping your family,” stickers have been on the rigs for 10 years. Officials say the slogan is not the problem, but a small firefighter union logo above the slogan is what promoted the request for removal.
A former police office and member of Judicial Watch, a conservative group, called the union logos on city trucks “illegal” and complained to the city about them. They called the decals part of a “backroom deal” between liberal city officials and the left-leaning union groups, according to the report.
City officials ordered the fire chief to have her crews remove the logos.
“It may have violated language in state law, so without taking any chances we’re moving forward, taking the stickers off,” Captain Mark Vanacore said.
In defiance, the firefighter union posted a picture of their decal as the group’s Facebook profile picture.
It garnered hundreds of “likes” and comments, including “I loved seeing the saying on the side of the trucks,” and “I think we should contact the city to voice concern over the wasting of tax dollars to remove these logos.”
“I understand that some of the guys are upset, but unfortunately we’re bound by what the law says,” Capt. Vanacore said.
Decals memorializing fallen firefighters and police officers can remain on the trucks.