Show them to me sign at NJ fire convention causes problems at home
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On the home page of the Williamstown Fire Company of Monroe Township, New Jersey, right below the “Remember 9/11” banner, is the following message under the heading “Convention”:
The Williamstown Fire Company would like to sincerely apologize to anyone that was offended by the joke. The situation has been addressed and those responsible have been disciplined.
The “joke” is the yellow “Show us your tits” banner that is under the fire company’s banner in the image above. Both were on display at the New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention in Wildwood over the weekend. Before you ask, we don’t know if anyone complied with the request.
We do know that Monroe Township Mayor Michael Gabbianelli met today (Tuesday) with Chief Michael Jacobi and President Joe Kurz to discuss discipline for those responsible for the banner (I’m assuming he is referring to the bottom banner and not the top one).
Mayor Gabbianelli told Andy Polhamus at the South Jersey Times that the all-volunteer department is made up of “good guys” but that this didn’t represent the town well. The mayor indicated it was likely a joke that got carried away and will result in a suspension for those involved.
Shawn Rutter, a college math professor and former EMT who lives in Williamstown, submitted the photo to South Jersey Times, saying it was sexist and set a bad example for children.
“I think it’s demoralizing to women. I think it’s insulting,” he said. “A lot of young kids idolize that type of work. Every little kid wants to be a firefighter. A lot of parents drive their kids to that parade. That’s not a conducive learning environment.”
