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Committee approves use of Station 23 photo for "23 Domingos" merchandise and website; county to draft partnership language
Summary
The IRPS Committee granted permission to a retired firefighter to use a Station 23 photo on a commercial website promoting "23 Domingos" merchandise that will donate about 10% of proceeds to burn survivors and firefighter mental-health organizations; county attorneys will draft partnership language to protect DeKalb interests.
The IRPS Committee approved a request from a retired DeKalb firefighter to use a photograph taken at Fire Station 23 on the applicant's official website home page and to proceed with branded merchandise sales under the name "23 Domingos." The committee moved and approved the item June 3 with a voice vote.
The applicant, identified in the agenda as the organizer of "23 Domingos," said the idea originated in the mid-1980s when station staff adopted two lawn flamingos as a station feature. The applicant said he has trademarked the name and is developing plush toys and larger lawn figures to sell online. He told the committee he plans to donate about 10% of sales to two organizations: the Phoenix Burn Society (a burn-survivor support organization) and Next Rung, which provides firefighter mental-health resources.
"Suicide is the number one cause of firefighter death today," the applicant said, explaining that funds will help mental-health outreach and that smaller plush toys could also be carried on apparatus to comfort children after traumatic incidents.
DeKalb County Fire Rescue staff confirmed that Next Rung is one of several resources listed weekly to firefighters alongside peer support and employee-assistance programs. Commissioner Ladina Bolton asked county attorneys to prepare partnership language to ensure DeKalb firefighters and the county benefit if the merchandise gains commercial exposure. County Attorney Phillips said attorneys would work with Fire Rescue leadership and the applicant to draft appropriate language and agreements.
The committee recorded the vote as unanimous voice approval. Chair Ladina Bolton and committee members praised the charitable focus and asked staff to return suggested language if a formal partnership or use of county nomenclature is required.
