Medic takes ambulance to daughter's game, sparks controversy
Went to see her play volleyball in city vehicle, public safety committee member takes issue, but not all feel the same way
By Doug Miner
Maplewood-Brentwood Patch
BRENTWOOD, Mo. — A Brentwood paramedic used a city ambulance to go watch his daughter play volleyball at St. Mary Magdalen, alderman and Public Safety Committee member Anthony Harper said.
The Public Safety Committee discussed firefighters and police officers using city vehicles to go to sporting events, QuikTrip, a drive-through or home, as a result of that use of a city vehicle, at their meeting on Thursday. Human Resources Manager Julie Echols said when the committee determines what qualifies as an approved city event, then a policy can be written. She said it’s covered in the handbook now, but it’s vague. She researched other communities, and said Frontenac and Clayton encourage their crews to go out and participate in community events.
Harper agreed that community events are OK for the use of city vehicles. “This was being used for a personal event, not a community event,” he said. “That’s the difference, there’s a clear distinction.”
Mike Ledgerwood Wednesday, November 28, 2012 5:27:28 PM Was he on duty at the time? Did he leave the district or response area? If not what is the problem? This council member appears to have some form of agenda that goes far beyond this. If done right, this can be an excellent PR tool and can be used to advantage. I can't tell you how many time I have seen a fire engine at the grocery store only to have the firefighters let the kids look at the engine and give them fire safety lessons.
The real issue is money. Driving an ambulance, fire truck or police car to an event within the district is not what is making them broke. This council member needs to look in the mirror. I bet if I checked their work computer I would find websites they visited on work time that weren't work related. How about their work phones. I bet they have called their family on work time with work equipment.
The pot calling the kettle black. They need to focus their attention on real problems and not these petty agendas. 
Alex Ol Red Garmon Wednesday, November 28, 2012 8:50:14 PM Was he in his response area? You could just take the rig and just stage at the vollyball game for your responses, its really not that big of a deal....if he broke a company policy I could understand but this is kinda ridiculous, Like mike said its an example of the pot calling the kettle black...people are just way to uptight about things. 
Lars DeForge Thursday, November 29, 2012 4:57:33 AM why would it matter as long as they are available for calls. 
