Albuquerque Fire Bans FMB Stickers

The Albuquerque Fire Department has taken the dramatic step of banning a controversial new sticker that firefighters began placing on their helmets recently. The stickers have the letters "FMB" inside a maltese cross, and the Mayor, Richard Berry, seems to think the stickers are directed at him.

The firefighters counter that the FMB stands for "forever my brother"…….. They happen to be locked in a protracted legal battle with MB over wages cuts.

 Where are our First Amendment scholars…. any thoughts?

 

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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