Santa Runs Resume On Rockville Fire Trucks

ROCKVILLE, MD – Even Santa Claus has to use his seatbelt.

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department says on its website that its popular Santa Runs will resume Friday, Dec. 18, after being suspended. If you’re new to the area, Santa cruises through neighborhoods on a fire truck rather than the traditional sleigh.

But, the fire department said Wednesday on its Facebook page that the brakes were put on the rides because Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services Chief Scott Goldstein was worried that Santa could fall riding on a fire engine without a seatbelt or safety harness.

Residents grumbled online about the halt – which meant some neighborhoods were skipped – calling it a war against Christmas. But others said firefighters need to practice safety at all times.

Facebook user Stephanie Collins Codrea said, “The Fire Chief should have thought of that in the first place instead of waiting until the residents got upset. He should have known that this is a decades old tradition that no one wants to lose.”

And some, including Norene Y. Stovall, cast Chief Goldstein as the villain. She posted, “Glad Santa overcame the Grinch.”

Other residents had fun with the brouhaha. Scott Ward suggested, “Let Santa walk. He could stand to loose a few pounds and the cardio would do him good.”

Added Kris Perry: “I’m sure his belly like a bowl full of jelly would cushion any accidental fall.”

According to an update posted Thursday, a compromise has been reached and the popular Santa Runs are back on track, starting tonight.

If you would like Santa to visit your Rockville neighborhood, send an email to santa-runs@rvfd.org.

Crews can’t visit every street in every neighborhood, says the department. And Santa’s visits may also be affected by emergency responses and weather.

2015 Santa Run Schedule – Visits are usually between 6:30 and 8 p.m.

• 12/18- Derwood (Indianola area, etc.)/Makeup
• 12/19- Lincoln Park Annual Christmas and Kwanzaa Celebration 12p-4p
• 12/19- Lincoln Park/East Rockville
• 12/20- Gregerscroft Rd., Potomac Neighborhood Party @630p/ Falls Grove
• 12/21 – West End/College Gardens
• 12/22 – Woodley Gardens/Make-up
• 12/23 – New Mark Commons/ Rose Hill
• 12/24 – Make-up

»Image courtesy of Rockville Fire Department’s Facebook page