Dispatch gets the call it was awaiting from the North
Around the World in One Night, Inc. makes its annual request
MUPRHY (December 3, 2014) Just like clockwork, Murphy dispatchers received that once-a-year call from the Transportation Department of Around the World in One Night, Inc. asking for assistance from Murphy Fire Rescue, says Fire Chief Mark Lee.
“It was ‘that’ call we expect every year about this time,” he said. “The North Pole calls to see if we can accommodate a check ride for Santa Claus. His goal is to familiarize himself with the Murphy places he’s not visited before, and recall those that he has. We, of course, agreed to provide the vehicle.”
Starting on Dec. 8 and continuing until the City is “covered,” Santa will ride atop a Murphy fire engine with lights ablaze, the bell ringing and accompanied by an occasional blast from the siren. The rides will cover every street in Murphy with the exception of short cul-de-sacs, and start promptly at 6:30 p.m. each evening, continuing until 8:30 p.m.
“We’ll take the jolly old elf around every evening, except Sundays. He’ll be safely strapped to the engine, so he won’t be able to get off and interact with anyone. In fact, in order to complete the entire City, the engine will not be able to stop for any length of time,” said the Chief.
Each neighborhood and subdivision will be included in the schedule. However, should there be rain, snow or a real-life emergency, the schedule for a particular neighborhood or subdivision may be altered.
A map of the route will be posted on www.murphytx.org and updated every day.
“Because Santa can’t get off the fire engine, firefighters, members of their families, and perhaps even some Council members will be throwing wrapped candy from the back of the fire engine. Because of that, we ask that parents accompany small children and keep an eye on them as Santa makes his way through the neighborhoods,” added the Chief.
“The entire department is very excited about the visitor from the North Pole and are very anxious to take him around the City, making sure that he doesn't miss any streets on Christmas Eve,” he concluded.