Fireman Sam or S&M

I was in Glasgow today picking a lens that was being repaired at A J Johnson in Hope St. As I came out I noticed this sculpture. The bronze sculpture by Kenny Hunter (one of Scotland's foremost sculptors and graduate of Glasgow School of Art), is a tribute to all firefighters past and present who have served in Strathclyde Fire & Rescue.
It's quite a powerful piece but is it me or is there a bit of an S&M bondage vibe going on here?