The iconic fireman’s pole is being phased out in Austria. In
fact, the last usable pole in the nation’s capital of Vienna was physically
removed recently. The only remaining firefighter’s pole in the city resides in
its firefighter’s museum.
Officials
claim the poles are no longer necessary because new or renovated stations are
laid out in such a way that they wouldn’t result in time saved in getting to a
fire. These layout changes themselves were made because “stairs are safer.”
Say
what? I’m not aware of any carnage that has occurred due to sliding down a 12
foot post. I do hear of people tripping and falling down the stairs, etc., on a
regular basis. More to the point, however: these are firemen. We wouldn’t want our firemen (and women) exposed to any risk as they are racing into a fire to pull people out of burning, collapsing,
smoke-filled buildings, would we now?!
Make no
mistake, this aversion to firemen
sliding down poles will quickly spread throughout the West. Fire stations will
no longer be allowed to have poles, even as “pole-dancing” is rapidly
increasing in popularity with many women who feel liberated by the exercise and
freedom of expression and artistry that their pole performances provide, as
they spin around, hang on and slide towards the floor upside down.
So
stands the world in 2016.
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