Journal staff

The Arlington Fire District was not Dutchess County's only department that displayed the American flag on its trucks.

But, it's also not the only department that does not bear the American flag, following the district board's controversial decision.

One day after Arlington formally removed flags from its three fire trucks, a choice that went against the wishes of the district's union members, reaction from fellow departments in the county ranged from to apathy, to shock and confusion, and prompted at least one department to take action in support of Arlington's firefighters. But, not all department leaders disagreed with the Arlington board.

The Journal attempted to reach all 36 of Dutchess County's fire departments, not including Arlington, on Wednesday. Of the 15 that responded, eight do not have flags on their trucks and six of them do, including the Rhinebeck Fire Department, which planned to add them at a ceremony on Wednesday night after discussing the topic prior to Arlington's decision. The other flag-bearers include Hughsonville, Wappingers Falls, Millbrook, Beacon, and Poughkeepsie.

One department declined to answer. Several additional departments display a decal of an American flag, and display full flags for special events such as parades or funerals.

“Firefighters, in general, are very patriotic and they always have been,” Beacon Chief Gary Van Voorhis said.

EDITORIAL: Fire board should allow flags to fly

Arlington Fire Commissioner Chairman Jim Beretta said the board majority feels the flags are a "liability during normal operations for our people and other motorists," and that the board had not been consulted before the flags were mounted.

Arlington's choice to remove its flags gained national attention on Wednesday and widespread, passionate discussion across social media.

However, Millbrook Chief Ted Bownas made clear that just because he supports flags on his trucks, that doesn't mean he thinks the Arlington board was incorrect. And, in fact, the outrage he's observed has made the situation "blown utterly out of proportion."

“This will be an unpopular opinion, but the fire apparatus belong to the fire district, and if the board prefers not to have flags flown from the rear of the apparatus, it's their prerogative to make that directive," Bownas said. "I don't believe there was any ill will intended, or that any lack of patriotism drove the decision of Commissioners (Joseph) Armstrong, Beretta, and (Jose) Secco, and I think if the firefighters had suggested a smaller flag that's intended for vehicle display, this whole matter could have been avoided. Instead, they're at the center of a feeding frenzy of nationalism and media attention, which benefits no one; particularly the taxpayers the fire service is sworn to serve.”

Conversely, though Red Hook is not among the departments with flags on its trucks, Chief Rich Hildbrandt said it’s possible the company might begin doing so in the wake of Arlington's decision.

Stanford is another department that does not regularly bear flags. Still, regarding the removal of the flags in Arlington, Stramm said, “I don’t understand their reasoning. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. If people are not comfortable with the American flag, stay out of the country.”

Hughsonville flies Arlington's flag

Hughsonville, which had already been flying flags regularly, obtained one of Arlington's three former flags and attached it to one of its trucks in a ceremony Wednesday evening.

Arlington Fire District First Assistant Chief John Richardson presented two Hughsonville firefighters with the flag, as 14 of their colleagues stood in formation and others stood nearby in a small group. Arlington Second Assistant Chief Eric Philipp was also on hand, as well as an Arlington firefighter who declined to give his name.

Bill Beale, public information officer for Hughsonville, invoked the Sept., 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in remarks during the formal gathering. He also cited that tragedy as the catalyst for fire departments flying American flags from trucks.

"We'll be happy to hang that flag in honor of all of those that want to hang a flag, but they can't," Beale said prior to the ceremony starting.

Asked about the removal of the flags in Arlington, Richardson said, "I think it was a very poor decision."

The City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department has displayed the American flag on its trucks since 9/11, according to Chief Mark Johnson.

“We don’t agree with the decision (in Arlington) and feel the flags were an appropriate tribute,” Johnson said.

The fire department has received dozens of calls and emails regarding the controversy, primarily from people mistaking the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department for Arlington.

The City of Beacon Fire Department has a 3-by-5-foot nylon flag on its busiest fire engine, mounted on a pole over the pump panel behind the crew cab, according to Van Voorhis.

Van Voorhis said the flag is washed when it becomes dirty and every year, volunteers purchase a new one.

When the engine goes on maintenance runs that require higher-speed travel on highways, the flag is removed to prevent fraying, he said.

Other decorative items would need to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, he said. The department also has American flag decals on other apparatus.

The Village of Wappingers Falls Fire Department has an American flag each on two trucks, said Chief Jason Enson. They have been in place for three months.

“I think it’s just stupid that (Arlington has) to remove their flags," Enson said. "It’s just too bad they have to do that.”

Patriotism through decals

In the Fairview Fire District, there are a number of flag decals on apparatus and turnout gear, but no cloth flags, according to Chief Christopher Maeder.

“Many of our personnel also display flags on their helmets, myself included,” Maeder wrote in an emailed response. “To the best of my knowledge, we never had cloth flags on our apparatus as a standard thing. However, I do recall putting them on the rigs on certain occasions (such as) 9/11 memorial events and parades.”

Maeder said any display of the American flag should be done according to the U.S. Flag Code.

“Other non-essential or decorative items would be considered by me on a case-by-case basis,” he said.

Likewise, Roosevelt includes flag decals on its trucks.

“Roosevelt does have decorative items on trucks including the flag decals, memorial emblems for 9/11 and fallen firefighters, the official silhouette of FDR and similar items of high regard to the department,” Chief Dan Nichols said in an email to the Journal. “The membership has requested that these items be placed on the apparatus… This supports the pride and traditions of our volunteers, the district and the American fire service.”

Beale, who was chief of the Hughsonville department between 2001 and 2002, called the decision by the Arlington board of commissioners “outrageous.”

"We are a month away from the 15th anniversary of 9/11,” Beale, a 24-year veteran of the department, said. “9/11 was the largest loss of firefighters’ lives in any single incident. Flying the flag on the back of a fire apparatus has become a tradition. It started with the New York City fire departments and was meant to support our country as a whole. To see anyone voluntarily ask or direct to have a flag removed from a back of a fire apparatus goes against that tradition."

Amanda J. Purcell: apurcell@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4807; Twitter: @amandajpurcell