Armed firemen coming to our streets

mojaveman · 08-06-2018, 16:02

Early this morning I was in the main office of a city fire department in a very large and very well known location in Southern California. I was waiting to transport a fire truck back to the distributor for warranty repair work and I was inside and standing by the open door of a room. Inside were a Fire Captain, a few high ranking officers and a couple of people in plain clothes. They were having a very serious discussion about what type of weapons they were going to acquire, who was going to be authorized to carry them, rules of force, etc. I couldn't believe it, I mean I've been used to seeing ARs and shotguns in LE vehicles but now fire trucks too? And firemen responding to fires with Glocks on their belts? It's like what is this society coming to. Are other departments in other cities doing the same?

Penn · 08-06-2018, 16:09

Sign of the times, but might not responding be more effective in sending a msg to cease and desist to those who would do harm, if they understood no response if threat exist or were to materialize.

SouthernDZ · 08-06-2018, 16:59

I guess they better be careful throwing the word "fire" around......

scooter · 08-06-2018, 18:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthernDZ

I guess they better be careful throwing the word "fire" around......

Ha!

TWITCHY · 08-06-2018, 20:37

Our city lawyers (in Texas) ruled that they could not prohibit us from carrying weapons, within the laws, of course. I, as a Fire Captain, did carry concealed in an over the shoulder pack; however, it would be near impossible (without breaking laws or impeding response time and efficiency) for each firefighter to carry a weapon. For instance, it is not uncommon for a fire truck to respond immediately from a medical call in a residence to any number of illegal locations (church, prison, court house, etc.). Additionally, it was my fear that a firefighter, in his haste to remove and secure a weapon, would have a negligent discharge and kill or injure a fellow firefighter or civilian. Truthfully, it is really not a feasible or safe situation. Our job, like yours and cops, is inherently dangerous. Some risk must be accepted. Like I said, though, I did carry concealed to protect my guys.

Captain Twitchy

exsquid · 08-16-2018, 17:53

Way back in the 70s it was a PIRA TTP to commit arson in conjunction with ambushing the responding fire companies. Nothing new under the sun.

x/S

Golf1echo · 08-16-2018, 21:44

They have always had axes....

We are currently trying to help the tactical teams ( COSP Fire dept. ) Rig their back packs to their armor. Weapons didn't come into the conversation. In New Orleans there are areas the paramedics and fire response don't go until they have police escort . Sad but probably a necessity in some places and situations.

**Team Sergeant** · 08-19-2018, 11:13

Here in AZ we have "contract" fire departments..... Rural Metro Fire Department anything goes to include allowing houses to burn to the ground if you've not paid the "contractors".

Armed "gov" firemen opens up a huge can of worms and ya gotta ask yourself, are you a cop or fireman?

Nothing seems to be a surprise these days.

abc_123 · 08-19-2018, 13:23

We can't even keep the "man or woman" thing straight!

PSM · 08-19-2018, 20:42

Well, it might fall under the "possibility" of armed teachers in the classroom. There was a fireman shot during one of the various L.A. riots. I think that it was the one where the Korean's armed themselves and Reginald Denny had his head bashed in . . . oh, and the cops didn't show up.

**Pete** · 08-20-2018, 04:30

Maybe arming firefighters is not such a good idea - at least not in NY, NY.

FDNY brawl

https://nypost.com/2018/08/18/fdny-b...-tape-insider/

mojaveman · 08-20-2018, 10:29

I think the meeting I witnessed was in response to this.

http://www.cbs8.com/story/38501059/2...etirement-home

**Team Sergeant** · 08-21-2018, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSM

Well, it might fall under the "possibility" of armed teachers in the classroom. There was a fireman shot during one of the various L.A. riots. I think that it was the one where the Korean's armed themselves and Reginald Denny had his head bashed in . . . oh, and the cops didn't show up.

Allowing them to carry for personal defense and "arming" them is two different things.

Most left-wing run cities only allow leo's (and the corrupt left-wing elite) to carry legally.

If I were a fireman (or cop) I'd be searching for a new line of work........

Firelord · 08-22-2018, 04:55

I spent just over 20 years in a small city fire department in Florida. It was not uncommon during times of civil unrest to find a shotgun or two in the hosebed of the truck (this was a time when you saw guys riding on the tailboard) or in the cab. For some unknown reason, handguns were frowned upon. It wasn't kosher to carry the weapons, but everyone knew they were there and no one complained.
Thankfully they were never used, but it seemed to give some comfort when responding into a high crime area or adjacent to it. Not possible anymore in todays politically correct climate.