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After scolding, FDNY back at the head of St. Patricks Day Parade

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

8:56 AM EDT, March 17, 2008

Members of New York City's fire department are no longer exiled to the tail-end of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.

A dispute between parade bosses and the Fire Department of New York has been resolved a year after FDNY marchers were demoted from their traditional spot at the start of the parade. Parade organizers had accused members of the FDNY of showing up to the 2006 parade drunk.

Parade secretary Hilary Beirne says organizers are happy to have the fire department back in its slot near the front of the Fifth Avenue procession.

The 247th annual parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Monday at 44th Street and draw millions of spectators. This year's grand marshal is 90-year-old retired NYPD Lieutenant Mario Biaggi.