Answers Sought after Fire Engine Yanked from Danville, VA, Holiday Parade
Without warning, a grinch ordered a fire truck out of the Danville holiday parade Sunday night.
Just as the Bosville engine with Buffy Merricks, her son, Avery, and three children seated in the hose bed was about to go down Main Street, an official stopped it.
There's nothing in the Riverview Rotary's parade rules that prohibits adults or children riding in the bed of a firetruck. It only says children cannot sit on the edge of a float or in the front of a vehicle, according to WSET.
Avery, who said he was disappointed that the fire department's plans to spread holiday joy were yanked, added they weren't given an opportuntiy to make a change so they could continue.
"We were going at a very slow speed and being very cautious being up there," he said.
Likewise, his mother said they were seated.
Riverview Rotary President Shakeva Frazier wrote in a text that the group "aims to host a safe and memorable parade of all spectators, participants, and volunteers."
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.