Parking a pink Cadillac in a fire lane is like putting a ‘kick me’ sign on your back. And I am glad to oblige.
Do you want to sell a rig? Click HERE to find out how with SellFireTrucks.com.
I thought it was a wonderful gesture back in October when Maryland’s Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department became one of a number of departments across the country to have a pink fire engine in honor of National Breast Care Awareness Month. It takes some tough firefighters to drive around in a pink fire truck.
What could be the downside to a small fleet of pink fire engines across the country giving recognition to an important cause? Well, it takes the cynicism and twisted mind of a veteran, washed-up reporter to find something negative.
Look at the pictures below sent to me by @NPPNick1 on Twitter. I am told they were taken in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, scene of Fire Expo this past weekend.
Is it possible that the driver of every pink vehicle thinks they are now part of the fire department?
Or, is it just those who drive the pink Caddy’s of Mary Kay Cosmetics, like this one. Maybe it has nothing at all to do with pink fire engines and this is a specialized MURV assigned to a CRT.
Unfamiliar with those acronyms? I am referring to a Make-Up Response Vehicle that is part of a Cosmetic Response Team. I believe in most states you will find that if there is a legitimate FCI, or Facial Casualty Incident, a certified MURV operator can park in a fire lane to ensure a quick response.
I think we can all agree that when an FCI occurs, every second counts. A simple blemish doubles in size every minute (at least in the eyes of the victim). Mary Kay Cosmetics and the rest of the industry have been lobbying hard for automatic cosmetic alarms to be required at every bathroom mirror. In addition, despite objections from the building industry that it would be cost prohibitive, Mary Kay and the others want legislation that mandates automatic cosmetic sprinkler systems. These systems cover up imperfections on any man, woman or child before significant harm is done to the person’s face and ego. By the time a MURV arrives it is often only a mop-up operation. Think of how many fewer tears there would be through the teenaged acne years.
So, if you see pink flashing lights behind you, please pull to the curb immediately and let these brave face responders get safely to their destination. Remember, Mary Kay is running in when the rest of us are running out (or, when our make-up is just running).
On a personal note, it’s a shame MURVs and CRTs weren’t around when I was reporter. My career might have survived the transition to HD TV for a little longer. But there would have likely been pink Cadillacs ringing the entire building, when second, third and fourth alarms were called as they went to defensive ops surrounding and drowning my sorry-looking face.
