State Senator Outraged By Images Of Murrah Bombing In Firefighters Union Ad

Dana Hertneky, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state senator said images of the Murrah bombing that are now being used in a political ad are "horrific and tasteless." But the Oklahoma firefighters union, who is airing the ad, said the Oklahoma City bombing is an important reminder of what they do.

The ad that the PFFO (Professional Fire Fighters of Oklahoma) began airing Thursday is filled with images of what firefighters do on a daily basis. But it's the shot, of the Oklahoma City bombing that State Senator David Holt said crosses the line.

"It's just shameful," said Sen. Holt.

The ad is intended to sway public opinion in a battle between the firefighters union and certain lawmakers over SB 826 that would change arbitration rules in labor disputes.

"I think a big lesson of April 19 was to moderate your political rhetoric and when you drag that event into a policy debate over binding arbitration you are completely over the top and frankly you should be ashamed," said Holt.

But the Oklahoma firefighters union points out Sen. Holt mentions his personal experiences during the September 11 attacks on his campaign website and said this is really no different.

"We don't have a problem with him using it that way either. We just think it's hypocritical if we're doing the same thing he does," said Rick Beams, president of the PFFO.

Beams said the image is important because it's a powerful reminder of the work firefighters do.

"We're the people who go out every day and make those kinds of responses, no matter how bad they are," said Beams.

A spokesperson for the Oklahoma City National Memorial said they try not to get involved in political discussions and they just hope all parties can work together just like we did almost 16 years ago.

Senator Holt is calling for the union to quit running down the ad, or at least remove the image of the Murrah building. But the union said it won't do it.