A bizarre fight has broken out over a beloved celebrity cat being given a ride on a fire truck during a Pride parade.
Selkirk, an orange feline boasting 28,000 followers on TikTok, unexpectedly popped out of a fire truck window during the Spokane Pride Parade and Festival earlier this month.
According to The Spokesman-Review, there are concerns about whether rules were breached by letting an animal inside the vehicle and by showing a ‘politically charged’ flag.
An email sent to the entire department recently addressed their involvement in the parade, with the operations chief labeling it an act of ‘selfishness’ that placed the fire department in a ‘difficult position with residents, SFD members, and council members who might have differing opinions.’
Spokane’s annual Pride Parade and Festival drew hundreds decked out in colorful attire and waving flags to enjoy the parade and entertainment offered for the day.
The local fire department joined the parade on June 14, as they do every year.
Selkirk’s owner lifted him in view of the crowd as the truck slowly moved along the parade route.
Selkirk, an adventurous orange cat with over 28,000 TikTok followers, along with his owner, made a surprise appearance out the window of a Pride-adorned firetruck during the Spokane Pride Parade and Festival in Washington earlier this month (pictured)
While the move drew cheers from the crowd, it quickly sparked debate within the fire department, with questions raised about whether protocol was broken by allowing an animal inside the truck and displaying a ‘politically charged’ flag
Operations Chief Darin Neiwert (pictured) sent a department-wide email on Monday addressing the fire department’s role in the recent Pride festival, calling it an act of ‘selfishness’ that put the fire department in a ‘tough spot with residents, SFD members and council members that might feel differently’
‘Didn’t know the cat would be more popular than the fire truck,’ read the caption on Selkirk’s TikTok video, which has racked up over four million views.
However after the parade, Operations Chief Darin Neiwert sent a department-wide email noting some concerns.
‘I think some clarifications of expectations are needed when we are interacting with the public during events not related to dispatch incidents, that influence our relationship with the community,’ he wrote.
According to The Spokesman-Review, Neiwert explained in the email that the company officer in charge of the truck single-handedly decided to allow both Selkirk and his owner inside and display Pride flags – actions that ultimately broke the chain of command.
Highlighting the dozens of viral videos on social media showing Selkirk from outside the truck, Neiwert claimed that they have since raised questions about the department’s ‘credibility and significance.’
‘The SFD doesn’t need to adorn its apparatus with politically charged stickers, flags, signs, etc, because we want to continue our message that we are there for all the community,’ Neiwert wrote, as reported by the outlet.
‘That is why we shy away from making political statements while on duty, no matter how we feel personally.’
Highlighting the dozens of viral videos on social media showing Selkirk from outside the truck (pictured), Neiwert claimed that they have since raised questions about the department’s ‘credibility and significance’
Randy Marler, a former department president, called Neiwert’s message an ‘absolute embarrassment of an email masked by ‘operational concern’ while clearly saying being gay is a political issue’
Jake Schwartz (pictured), president of Spokane Pride, argued that Selkirk’s appearance brought a ‘special joviality’ to the parade, firmly rejecting claims that the Pride flag was politically divisive
Randy Marler, a former department president, called Neiwert’s message an ‘absolute embarrassment of an email masked by ‘operational concern’ while clearly saying being gay is a political issue.’
Jake Schwartz, president of Spokane Pride, argued that Selkirk’s appearance brought a ‘special joviality’ to the parade, firmly rejecting claims that the Pride flag was politically divisive.
‘The flag is always about inclusivity, and I would disagree that that was a political statement,’ he told The Spokesman-Review.
‘Pride is Pride in our community – I wouldn’t call that political. We’re not just pushing for queer and gender queer rights, it’s for everybody’s community,’ he added. ‘I would encourage folks to not think about Pride in that way, as political.’
However, it was quickly noted that photos from last year’s Spokane Pride celebration showed someone holding a rainbow-themed sign and a Pride flag out of the fire engine’s window.
Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg said she hadn’t previously seen the image but also acknowledged that department policy was violated during this year’s parade and that corrective action was warranted, as reported by The Spokesman-Review.
O’Berg noted that had the company officer sought prior approval for bringing Selkirk and his owner aboard the truck or displaying Pride flags, the request likely would have been denied.
The department demonstrates its support for the Pride parade – like all community parades and events alike – simply by showing up, she argued.
The chain of command was also reportedly broken in part due to the department’s ban on all stickers, banners, or flags on its vehicles – except for those celebrating local public schools
According to Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg (pictured), safety protocols were also violated. Neither animals nor unauthorized individuals are allowed on firetrucks without proper precautions – specifically noting the absence of seatbelts in the videos shared on social media
This policy is partly due to the department’s ban on all stickers, banners, or flags on its vehicles – except for those celebrating local public schools.
According to O’Berg, safety protocols were also violated. Neither animals nor unauthorized individuals are allowed on firetrucks without proper precautions – specifically noting the absence of seatbelts in the videos shared on social media.
‘In my personal opinion, I think the Pride flag is clearly a symbol of inclusion and diversity for the LGBT community,’ O’Berg told the outlet.
‘We are also agnostic – it doesn’t matter what Julie O’Berg believes – and I think that specifically with the Pride flag, it’s hard not to recognize in recent years it has come to represent a broader social political movement that people have a wide variety of perspectives on.’
On Tuesday, Mayor Lisa Brown made a statement, emphasizing that the fire department’s presence at this year’s parade ‘aligns with their values of equity, inclusion and service to all,’ as reported by The Spokesman-Review.
‘I personally enjoyed the bubbles and Selkirk, but I wasn’t aware of any policies being broken at that time,’ she added.
‘It is my understanding that department policy prohibits individuals or animals from being inside a fire truck without approval, and that any adornments must also be approved in advance. In this case, those expectations were not followed.’
