‘Thin Blue Line’ flag removed from fire engine over safety concerns
Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins is explaining the decision to remove a nonstandard American Flag from a fire engine in Moreno Valley which was in place to support law enforcement officers.
The ‘Thin Blue Line’ flag was placed on the tailboard of a a fire engine located at Station 48. Anger over the flag’s removal started to spread quickly after photos were posted to the Facebook page, ‘What’s going on in Riverside County’.
Eric Hille posted, “Word traveled fast in our fire department that Station 48 was ordered to remove the Thin Blue Line off the door and Thin Blue Line Flag off our fire engine immediately. The intentions of the flag and stripe, was to show support for the fallen police officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas. The flag was only going to be flown for 3 days for 3 fallen Police Officer in Baton Rouge LA.”
Chief John Hawkins explained the decision on Wednesday, saying, “Yesterday afternoon, a difficult decision was made to remove a nonstandard American Flag from the tailboard of E-48. This flag also contains a blue stripe intended to show support for our law enforcement brothers and sisters. If no standard exists, then any size, shape or content flag could be flown.”
Chief Hawkins went on to say, “Our foremost concern was whether the flag could create a safety risk for emergency responders due to extremists targeting the fire engine or for people following the fire engine and not being able to see the warning lights. We have a standard for flag mounting which I honor because I implemented the change when I became your fire chief. I also directed which flag may be flown. Most of our fire apparatus have flags mounted as directed.”
Chief Hawkins also replied to criticism of his department, which was coming from members of his own team.
“Unfortunately, some members of our team have reduced themselves to acerbic allegations and name calling on social media, alleging in venomous posts that “management” doesn’t support law enforcement,” Chief Hawkins wrote. “I no longer am shocked by some of the claims on social media, but it is beyond belief to suggest “management” isn’t acutely aware of or sensitive to the attacks on our LE brothers and sisters. But turning against ourselves truly saddens me.”
Read Chief John Hawkins’ Full Statement:
I must write to you although I wish I could tell each of you this personally. We love our wonderful country because of the freedoms that many other nations do not enjoy. Likewise, we support our brother and sister public safety operators whether fire, LE or EMS. Let there be no secret from the center of my reconstructed heart that I exist to serve you and to show my respect for what you do and what we can all accomplish working together.
Yesterday afternoon, a difficult decision was made to remove a nonstandard American flag from the tailboard of E-48. This flag also contains a blue stripe intended to show support for our law enforcement brothers and sisters. If no standard exists, then any size, shape or content flag could be flown.
Our foremost concern was whether the flag could create a safety risk for emergency responders due to extremists targeting the fire engine or for people following the fire engine and not being able to see the warning lights. We have a standard for flag mounting which I honor because I implemented the change when I became your fire chief. I also directed which flag may be flown. Most of our fire apparatus have flags mounted as directed.
Unfortunately, some members of our team have reduced themselves to acerbic allegations and name calling on social media, alleging in venomous posts that “management” doesn’t support law enforcement.
I no longer am shocked by some of the claims on social media, but it is beyond belief to suggest “management” isn’t acutely aware of or sensitive to the attacks on our LE brothers and sisters. But turning against ourselves truly saddens me.
I love this county and its public safety operators, and it has been my privilege to be among you for five decades. Our hearts ache just as yours so for members of our public safety family who are under attack. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have suffered the ultimate loss and to all who stand on that line daily on our behalf. We fully understand your desire to reach out and show support for those men and women in Law Enforcement.
In evaluating any public statement, verbal or symbolic, we must look at the big picture. What are the implications of our action? How is this perceived by not only the public, but also those that would seek to do harm to those in public safety? Some feel the flag is an attempt to incite further violence against those who, to our very core, have dedicated our lives to protecting all lives. Should we potentially increase the risk for our firefighters by flying flags, banners or signs in this time of divisiveness? Sadly, in this unsettled time the danger is possible. That is why we made this painful decision.
Management sometimes must make difficult decisions. Often, that decision is to STOP an action until we have the time to look at the big picture. Our decisions are not always popular, nor perfect. But I can assure you that this one was not taken lightly. The type of flag – while strongly supporting our LE family – could increase tension or cause a negative response within the community. That concern for your safety is why we have asked that the flag not be flown at this time. We do not expect everyone to agree, but hope that we all will be strong enough to step back and respect the reasons for the decision.
We DO all want to support our LE brothers and sisters. I encourage each of you to reach out to every police officer you meet and show them your support. Say hello, wave to law enforcement officers. In the meantime, please allow management to review other methods of support and ways of reaching out, while being cognizant about safety concerns for all of us. Please forward any suggestions or recommendations via your supervisor…”
