Well, if Mr. Hurtado really wants to stay in shape, why doesn't he ride his bicycle to the track or park at Brookshires? One of my most dangerous neighbors, when it comes to fireworks, is a fireman. Go figure. His 4th of July activities scare the Hell out of me every year. The only protection I have that my place won't catch fire is prayer.

I have always believed that if you were in a role of responsibility that you acted better than you need to.  I was outraged to find out that a firefighter would be so arrogant that he would believe that he did not have to follow the rules.  Mr. Hurtado stated that "if you come here on football night that you would find many cars parked in the fire lane".  I do not know about you but my mother said that "just because someone plays in the street does not mean that it is safe or legal to do the same."  Apparently he did not learn this as a child so now I suggest his supervisor teach him now.

This is a post from last year about the entrance to the track.  There is a parking lot directly across the street from that entrance, for those of you familiar with the high school, it is the parking lot directly to the right of the high school entrance circle. Sure, it's more convenient to park right in front ot this little narrow, winding entrance in the fire lane instead of walking, say 15 steps from the parking lot, but otherwise, it's only the width of the street to walk to it. (You can catch a glimpse of how wide in photo #3)

Been thinking about this some more-If it is true that there are a lot of people during football season parked in the fire line, forget whether someone's taking photos or video, why aren't all those cars ticketed and towed? It's kind of amazing that Mr Hurtado, as a firefighter, would be using that as an example, since one would suppose he would be squarely on the side of supporting keeping the fire lane FREE in case of a real emergency that required emergency vehicles. As would the police. What if a fire or other emergency broke out that required use of that fire lane and the people with the emergency were inside the field in the stands with their cars blocking the lane? Also, this is a school where children are being taught- surely Mr H doesn't think that it's a good lesson to have a fire lane but wink at people parking in it? I agree with pharper when he says that if there really is no use for that fire line, then talk to GRISD about removing it... but don't excuse people parking in it. In every state that I have travelled to, red lines mean don't park here, fire lane.

Also have been considering that concept of I-Have-An-Emergency-Vehicle>I Need to Stay in Shape> Therefore I Get To Park Emergency Vehicle In Emergency Lane While I Pace the HS Track. I certainly want to see all the firefighters, emergency personnel and sheriff's department stay in shape for response purposes and the taxpayer funded track is a great way to do it-no one argues over whether he or anyone else can use the track. But I believe the intent of the law about keeping the fire lanes open for emergency vehicles to park in wasn't so that emergency vehicles can park in it for non-emergency purposes. I saw a video from Keene, NH where a policeman parked in the fire lane while he went in to shop at Walmart.

An argument that one needs to be close to one's vehicle IN CASE OF emergency only flies when there is not adequate parking very close nearby, like across a very short street with no traffic. If a fire emergency broke out and Mr H was on the other side of the track on the west side, he'd still have to run across the field to get to his truck, so proximity convenience also can't be an argument.  Surely Mr H is not arguing that, as an emergency person, he has perks that allow him to do what other citizens cannot, in non-emergency situations. Yes?

I'm shocked to hear that one of our community volunteer firefighters is trying to defend himself with that complete line of garbage. Please tell me that we have others that are not just like him.........

If Buck had been on duty he probably would have gotten a ticket... he is always stopping somebody - I love it!!!!  Volunteer or not, it isn't an excuse to break the rules... ever.  You are supposed to set an example.  Maybe that's why everybody parks there during football games... they are following the poorly set example by folks that are authority figures... it shouldn't be the "do as I say... not as I do...." that you might hear parents say to a child from time to time.