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.”
