The Seahawks rally on Jan. 30 was a great community building event.

The mayor did a great job keeping his comments to the point and brief (perhaps the proclamation was a bit wordy) and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The snack items donated by local businesses were generous and what a turn out — go Federal Way!

I was concerned with the fire department’s bead drop from the extended ladder over the crowd below. I was surprised to see fire department personnel climbing out on the ladder to be suspended above the crowd without any type of fall protection other than their helmets and the diminishing rails on the ladder.

The lead man did not look particularly comfortable as he worked his way gingerly out on the ladder and both men looked awkward as they tossed beads to the crowd from overhead. Was it fun catching beads? Yes, it was fun, but I prefer our fire department staff take less risk at celebration events like this and save their heroics for those times when it is really needed.

How would the fire chief explain a fall incident at a celebration event and what if one of these men fell into the crowd? Let’s be smart about how we party.

Mike Hoag, Federal Way