JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A video posted on Facebook by Jacksonville Republican Mayoral Candidate Ron Armstrong is raising questions about how – and whether – Jacksonville Fire and Rescue resources should be used for events that are not fires or emergencies or sanctioned by the city.
Armstrong owns the Grounds of Grace coffee shop in Arlington.
In the video you hear Armstrong say, “When you can’t fill a baptismal tub, what do you do? You just call the firefighters, and they fill it up for you.”
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We reached out to Armstrong for an interview, but he declined to speak on camera.
However, he tells Action News Jax that he lets church groups use his coffee shop to host events.
Armstrong said that, despite his video, he is not the one who called JFRD, nor is he a member of the church group that hosted the baptism event.
Jacksonville resident Bill Gardner has mixed feelings about JFRD’s involvement.
“I don’t think it’ll be an everyday occurrence for the fire department to do nothing like that but if they can’t find a church and that’s all that’s left right now, God Bless,” Gardner said.
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We reached out to JFRD and asked if this was done while the firefighters were on duty, and if there is a policy regarding the use of department equipment for a religious ceremony.
In a statement, they said:
“JFRD personnel are community helpers. Our stations are located within the neighborhoods we serve, and we consider ourselves part of those communities. Our crews routinely respond to public assistance requests. This includes everything from helping a stranded driver with a flat tire to rescuing baby ducklings. These crews remain on duty and fully available to respond to emergencies in their district. There is no JFRD policy prohibiting minor public assistance.
In this case, the crew was approached by an individual as they left their station to get dinner. He asked if they could fill a tub with water, as none was available on site. The crew agreed as a routine act of public assistance. JFRD personnel did not participate in any religious ceremony and were unaware they were being filmed or that the request had any connection to a political campaign. JFRD does not participate in political campaign activity in any capacity.”
We also reached out to the mayor’s office and asked whether these city resources could be used in a religious ceremony. They referred us to JFRD’s statement.
Here is the video:
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