? about truck lettering regulations/ownership

[joemac]

A scenario:

You belonged to a fire department, let's call it, "Springfield Fire Company".

You had a falling out, based on something that was not your fault.

Although you feel no ill will towards them, you get the distinct impression that they don't want you around.

Meanwhile, you've acquired an old truck that you want to restore and letter it with, "Springfield Fire Co.", and "Springfield, Va.".(Our fictitious town/state)

Is there anything that the Springfield Fire Company can do to stop you?

[Royal Glen]

If you have a Fire Truck in their name already they probably wouldn't send another Fire Truck out if your house is burning down !!!!!!!!

[joemac]

Go away, boy. Ya bother me.

[1958 F.W.D.]

This topic has come up a time or two in several SPAAMFAA related forums and discussions. Technically, by the letter of the law, they CAN stop you IF (and only if) they are incorporated under whatever name it is that you place on the rig- for example, if they are incorporated as "SPRINGFIELD FIRE COMPANY NUMBER ONE, INCORPORATED" and that's how they are legally listed in their articles of incorporation, and this is what you place on the rig, then yes, they do have a legal right to stop you.

However, if you put "Springfield Fire Company" on the truck, then no, they have no recourse to stop you. They can try but in the end they will lose.

Others have done variations (using Springfield as an example) such as "Springfield Fire Department", "Springfield Bureau of Fire", "Springfield Fire Company #2", or just "Springfield Pa."

[fxfymn]

Kind of funny since many departments get more upset if you remove the name from the rig. Most places have pride in their rigs and history and want them retained, not changed or destroyed.

Some municipalities feel compelled to sand off or paint over their names in a misguided attempt to prevent the new owners from representing themselves as employees of the municipality. Sometimes the lawyers win.

Bottom line; drive and operate the rig responsibly, always remember you are representing the department that is on the rig as well as the fire service as a whole, and use common sense.

[Maddog13407]

first question is, what did you do to piss them off??

[Bigdogtrucker]

Same thing I was wondering Maddog

[General Ike]

first question is, what did you do to piss them off??

Yep.

If you were just a motivated member that tried hard to move the department forward and they didn't agree with you than just go chat with the board and let them know your intentions to preserve the originality of the rig. Offer them first refusal if you ever sell it.

If you got thrown out of the department for other reasons you might be SOL.

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