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| Christmas morning 2023 Photo by Steven H. Robinson |
My name is Matt Cowan and I am the Fire Chief for the Shoreline Fire Department.
The "Santa Engine" has been going on for many decades now and brings a great amount of holiday cheer to families in our area. You cannot imagine how many happy, smiling faces we see from the kids and adults as they flock out to greet us as we come by.
There are hundreds of families that look forward to it every year.
However, I am very sorry that there were some that were negatively impacted by this event, which is obviously not our intention. We use the horns and sirens to let people know we are coming, so they don't miss us.
And we also try to maximize the time, so that we can see as many families as possible.
Next year we will do a better job of getting the word out and we will re-evaluate how we use the horns and sirens to see if there is a better way to do it.
The apparatus are staffed by volunteers that give up their mornings to spread holiday cheer, and again, I am sorry that it had the opposite effect on some of our residents.
I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!
Matt
We’ve lost so much in Shoreline over the last few years. Please continue this tradition!
ReplyDeleteWe so very much appreciate your time and joy you bring to the community. Thank you so much for all you do!
ReplyDeleteJust let residents know it's an upcoming event, and don't change a thing! Christmas traditions like this are harmless, and are very fun for the community. Perhaps the person who was distressed by this, has a neighbor who could remind them of the time and date it's going to occur, in case they miss the announcement.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your letter to the editor, Chief Cowan. Your time is appreciated and the efforts you and the other employees from SFD is just fantastic and so enjoyed by the hundreds and hundreds of families you mention.
ReplyDeleteFor us, we appreciate the short siren blasts and horn honks as it alerts us that the Engine is on it's way and gives us a moment to get ready to run outside to wave and even get a photo!
Thank you for considering more announcements ahead of the event so that residents will have more notice.
Please know that many, many people are thankful for your time and the joy you're spreading to the different neighborhoods in Shoreline.
Sincerely,
Shoreline Resident
As with all things in thid world you can please everyone.. It's unfortunate that some were bothered. I think it's great. I live at Ballinger Homes and you guys made me cry seeing all the kids running to see Santa and to get candy. It's the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the Santa fire trucks, they are wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for a thoughtful response to the previous letter sent in to the editor Chief Cowan. This is a wonderful tradition and helps give our Shoreline community some much needed personality and “small town” feel. I can respect the challenge of trying to balance out everyone’s feelings on these matters. I sincerely hope the tradition lives on for the large majority that support this fun event. I am hopeful that increased notice/communication next year (perhaps including route info) could allow those who don’t quite enjoy it as much to make adequate preparations while allowing those who do enjoy it to stand at the ready to greet Santa, the firefighters and apparatus with holiday glee! Thanks for all that you and the shoreline fire department do for our community!
ReplyDeleteI want to thank Chief Cowan for his thoughtful post about the "Santa Engine". As one of those who was a recipient of Shoreline Fire Department paramedic services after falling off a ladder some years ago, I have a soft and grateful spot in my heart for the men and women of the SFD. At the same time, I do want to acknowledge that there may be those whose reaction to sirens and flashing lights may cause anxiety and ways to avoid that reaction should be explored by the SFD. An aggressive Public Relations outreach about the program and perhaps a little different way to use the lights and siren might help.
ReplyDeleteHoliday Blessings to the Men and Women of the Shoreline Fire Department,
Bill
Thank you for your note. I've lived in Shoreline for almost 20 years and never heard about the fire engines till this year when I thought "Oh no! someone's house is on fire on Christmas morning!"
ReplyDeleteI agree that more communication to the public is a great idea. Think of all the people who move around the Seattle area, if not globally each year, (again, not sure why I never heard about it - especially during Covid times - I'm not a holiday traveler).
I organize my neighborhood Night Out celebration, and will make sure this is brought up with our small group (14 households) this year. Happy to help out if you need volunteers to help get the word out.
Meridian Park resident.
I think what you do for the community is Awesome keep going ! And thank you for all you do do Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all ❣️
ReplyDeleteThanks to Shoreline Area News, this Santa Engine has now been publicized. In future years, there might be comments that say “Santa Engine never comes down OUR street.” The fire department just doesn’t have enough fire trucks to drive through every street in Shoreline on Christmas Day. Which might be why many have never heard of this tradition if only hundreds of families benefit when Shoreline population is in the tens of thousands and growing. Why not post the route before doing this and select locations and name times where Santa will stop? Shoreline and Richmond Beach libraries might be good east-west stopping places and Echo Lake and Parkwood elementary schools might make good north-south stops. Just a suggestion. It was nice of you to write, Chief Cowan.
ReplyDeleteThank you for spreading cheer, please don’t stop. Almost no one is asleep at 9am on Christmas, which is still long past quiet hours. Even jackhammers are allowed after 7 am. You put big smiles on kids faces - keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely love the visit from Santa on the fire truck and getting the honks and horn blasts! I wouldn't mind if it started at 10am though. Lol I was wrapping presents until 2am and would have appreciated a slightly later wakeup.
ReplyDeleteWhen I see fire trucks running to emergencies, it seems that the workers aboard are typically wearing hearing protection, against their own ear-damaging sirens and machine noise.
ReplyDeleteWhen just celebrating, maybe turn the sirens down to a level that the workers, and the public on adjacent sidewalks, don't need hearing protection? I.e. don't exceed OSHA noise levels. If the siren volumes can't be adjusted, then use some less hazardous noise makers?
it was the best thing I saw that morning! Please do it again🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
ReplyDelete