Pasadena’s fire chief said Monday afternoon that firefighters can wear mourning bands on their badges for firefighters in other departments who recently died in the line of duty after the firefighters’ union claimed they weren’t being allowed to do so.
“Losing a firefighter is a tragedy that heavily affects our first responder family and the community at large who support our valiant efforts. As a Fire Chief, I fully support and wear the mourning bands as a tribute to our brothers or sisters who pay the ultimate sacrifice,” Pasadena Fire Chief Bertral Washington said in statement.
He said the Pasadena Fire Department has a clear line of duty death policy outlining when mourning bands are worn.
Washington said he reviewed the policy with members of the command staff “in light of the recent tragedies to ensure consistency and respect with adding additional mourning periods to be observed.” He said while current circ*mstances may not fall strictly within the policy, he’s given permission for Pasadena fire personnel to wear the mourning bands, should they choose to do so.
Washington had sharp words for the union, which issued a statement earlier Monday claiming he did not allow them to wear the mourning band.
“Our focus will continue to be on the courageous response by our fellow firefighters, the recovery efforts and on ways to honor and support those who have lost their lives and property,” he said. “Premature social media posts and statements made to themedia regarding the wearing ofmourning bands should not be allowed to politicize this situation nor to take away from honoring our fallen brothers and sisters.”
Washington received a call Sunday from Scott Austin, president of the Pasadena Firefighters Association, Local 809, asking about the mourning bands and was told the chief would review the department policy, according to Lisa Derderian, spokeswoman for the Pasadena Fire Department.
The firefighters couldn’t wear the mourning bands while Washington was reviewing the policy, according to Derderian.
Under the policy, firefighters willwear a black mourning band across their badge whenever a firefighter is killed in the line of duty.
“The following mourning periods will be observed: (a) A firefighter of this department: From the time of death untilmidnighton the 30th day after the death. (b) A firefighter from this or an adjacent county: From the time of death untilmidnighton the day of the funeral. (c) Funeral attendee: While attending the funeral of an out-of-region firefighter,” according to the policy.
It’s not clear what the union thinks of the chief’s decision giving the go ahead for the mourning bands. Union officials could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
But earlier on Monday, the union showed what they thought of the chief’s initial response. Austin said in that statement that the union was deeply dismayed by what it called Washington’s refusal to allow firefighters to wear the bands.
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When firefighters die while protecting the life and property of others, it is a tradition in the fire service to wear mourning bands across badges in their honor, Austin said in the statement.
“The black mourning band worn around badges is deeper than a symbol, it is meant to mourn the loss of a fellow first responder,” he said.
Austin said the firefighters at other departments, including Arcadia, Glendale and Burbank, were being allowed by their fire chiefs to wear mourning bands until services are complete.
“Sadly, through his decision, Chief Washington has refused to join with these leaders in honoring those who died in the line of duty protecting the public. ,” he said.
Austin pointed out that Redding Fire Department Inspector Jeremy Stoke and private heavy equipment operator Don Ray Smith died while fighting the Carr Fire in Redding. He said Brian Hughes, 33-year-old captain of the Arrowhead Interagency Hotshots, was killed Sunday when he was struck by a tree while working near Yosemite National Park.
He said Braden Varney, a Cal Fire heavy equipment operator, died July 14 in the Ferguson Fire near Yosemite and Long Beach Fire Captain David Rosa was shot and killed last month whileresponding to an explosion at a high-rise retirement home.
Los Angeles County Fire Department spokesman Inspector David Michel said in that department there is no policy when firefighters can wear the mourning bands. If a fellow firefighter dies in the line of duty, firefighters in their department don the mourning bands, according to Michel.
“It’s an unspoken rule,” he said.
In Glendale, firefighters are currently wearing mourning bands on their badges.Steve Keys, vice president of the Glendale Firefighters Association, Local 776, said it does require approval from their fire chief.
“We are fortunate to have a great historical working relationship between the GFFA and the Glendale Fire Department command staff, as in addition they support us sending fire department apparatus staffed with off duty personnel to be able to attend and pay respects at these line of duty death funerals,” Keys wrote in an email.
