Armed firemen coming to our streets

[mojaveman]

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]

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]

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

[scooter]

Originally Posted by SouthernDZ

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

Ha!

[TWITCHY]

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]

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