Officials question use of city firetruck at gender reveal

Published 12:16 pm Friday, May 17, 2019

(AP) — Officials of Columbus, Mississippi, are questioning the use of city equipment at private events after a firetruck was used at a gender reveal party to spray pink water into the air.

The Commercial Dispatch reports city councilmen Stephen Jones and Charlie Box say the department should refrain from events like Monday’s party. But Chief Martin Andrews says the gender reveal party and other events are ways for the department to increase its visibility in the community.

Attendance at non-city events must be approved by Assistant Chief Duane Hughes, who says the participating firefighters were on-duty. He and Andrews said the cost to the department was minimal. The exact cost is unclear.

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The councilmen say they’re more concerned about the equipment use than the cost of attending such events.