Veteran firefighter parade judge gives his marching orders

[JetPhoto 626]

Veteran firefighter parade judge gives his marching orders

Times Herald-Record

August 11, 2007

Liberty — Hundreds of people today will be watching the Sullivan County Volunteer Firemen's Association parade as trucks, bands and firefighters proceed down the streets of Liberty.

But one set of eyes will be watching with more scrutiny than the rest. Those peepers belong to Hank Brisky, a long-time parade judge who is a stickler for details.

With a checklist and clipboard in hand, Brisky, 83, has been judging parades for more than 40 years.

He was chief of the Silver Lake Fire Department in the Town of Wallkill from 1966 to 1968, so he certainly knows his stuff.

"You have a lot of fun with the guys," Brisky said of judging. "But when I find something wrong, I say, 'Here's something you missed, something you better look at.' "

Here are five details that Brisky will be looking at when today's parade steps off at 3 p.m.

1"‚Attention, firetruck drivers: Look forward when you're driving or Brisky is going to penalize you.

"It's important that they face forward and pay attention to what they're doing."

And here are two small things for all you drivers. Brisky prefers that drivers not wear white gloves, because they can grip the wheel better without them. And make sure you stay less than 50 feet behind your marchers. Drifting too far behind is a demerit.

2"‚Check every crease and crevice of your firetruck for dirt — even the ladders.

"We take our finger and run it through there," Brisky said. "People forget ladders, and ladders get dirty."

Hank will also check the electrical outlets for dust. But the most important thing on a firetruck?

"Make sure all the lights are working," Brisky said.

3 "‚Marchers wearing hats should have them positioned perfectly straight on their heads.

But the science of wearing a hat during a fire parade goes even to the pivot of your brim.

"One guy might have his hat up, one might have his hat down, and one might have it in the middle," Brisky said, adding that this is sloppy and not OK. "Everybody has to have the hat four-fingers width above their eyes."

4"‚Marching in step is a science that should be perfected.

"If they have music, they better be sure their left foot is hitting the ground at the same time as the drum beat," Brisky said.

The right arm better go forward at the same time as the left foot, and all the lines better be as straight as a ruler.

5"‚The color guard has to pay attention to every small detail. The eagle on top of the flag pole has to be facing forward. Marchers standing next to the flag bearer must carry their axes or muskets on the same side. If one firefighter has it in his right arm, so must the other one.

And tired arms can't get in the way of keeping that American flag standing straight up, Brisky said.

"No 45 degrees or anything like that," he said. "That's the kind of stuff I like to pick on."

[Guest alsfirefighter]

1"‚Attention, firetruck drivers: Look forward when you're driving or Brisky is going to penalize you.

Attention parade judges...stop opening cab and compartment doors when vehicles are in motion! Then again one of you found out the hard way about 5 years ago didn't you when you walked into the open cab door when I stopped. lol.

[ex-commish 490]

Attention parade judges...stop opening cab and compartment doors when vehicles are in motion! Then again one of you found out the hard way about 5 years ago didn't you when you walked into the open cab door when I stopped. lol.

Must of been some sight

[WAS967 97]

Agreed. If they are so worried about the safe operation of the vehicle, they should be nowhere near it. If they want to check for stuff like dirt and dust, it should be done while in PARK. One day someone's foot is going to get run over and who are they going to sue?