We are asked this question frequently, especially around the Fourth of July.

Many of our neighborhood associations sponsor "bike parades" and ask us if we can lead the parade with a fire truck. In the past, we have tried to accommodate as many requests as we could and were pleased to be of help. However, we no longer provide this service and the reason is simple: safety.

First, all the kids on the bikes want to be "the one closest to the fire truck." Kids being kids, in their quest for this honor, may ride very close to the truck. Many times they are out of view of the driver and it makes operating the truck safely a difficult task.

Second, those in the neighborhood who are not in the parade come out to see it when it passes by. There are times when, because of the excitement of a fire truck and kids, the onlookers crowd too close into the street creating a difficult safety issue for the driver. There really is no safe solution to this problem.

We felt the need to discontinue this practice before someone got hurt. We hope you will understand, in the interest of safety.

You can still see our trucks in the large municipal parades with designated viewing areas and parade routes. Look for us and wave!