BOSTON --
The taxpayers who pay their salaries probably can't do it, but Boston firefighters are apparently allowed to take their boats to work and wash them using department facilities.
A Brighton resident who was out walking his dog this week said he saw a Boston firefighter washing his boat inside a city firehouse. He took a picture that he sent to Team 5 Investigates.
"He was on the top of the boat, a blue motorboat. I know the fire department color is red," said the man, who wished to remain anonymous.
"Taking your boat to work and then washing it? It's just wrong. You're there to work," he said.
A Boston Fire Department spokesman would not identify the firefighter, but confirmed he was on duty and it was his personal boat.
Spokesman Steve MacDonald added that firefighters are allowed to park personal vehicles in empty firehouse bays with permission of the officer in charge.
Boston firefighters recently received a 19 percent pay raise after a years-long labor dispute with the city.
"It's kind of like a slap in the face to be honest. You get all this money, and then you're going to rub it in our face. It's just disrespectful," said the man who took the picture.
MacDonald said firefighters often watch television or sleep during overnight shifts, adding that firefighters have downtime in the firehouse between calls.
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