By Lisa Swenson, EMS Blogger

My heart completely gets ripped apart each and every time I hear a firefighter, someone in the EMS field or a First Responder that has been taken away from us much too soon.  We think of the men and women whom have died from the common job-related cancer, heart attacks, and many other serious medical conditions.

However, lately it has been about our personnel literally in cases where they are being targeted, literally, by gunfire.  It is beyond me why people who have called them into action to save a burning house or a victim of domestic violence why it is necessary to take this plan of action.

Based upon some of my research, here are some answers I have tried to grasp as being possibilities to the many questions we all have:

(1)  A person who has taken mind-altering drugs takes out their aggression against responding firefighters. 

 Actual Incident:  December 5, 2009 – El Mirage (AZ) Firefighters responded to a late-night medical call to a 16-year old teen suffering from an OD-running around. They were able to calm him enough to take vitals and get an IV started.  However, when they attempted to put him on a gurney, he literally went bizerk kicking and punching.  Police were called to subdue him.  Three firefighters suffered minor injuries.  (The AZ Republic)

(2)  Firefighters respond a woman down, possible GSW victim.

Actual Incident:  February 13, 2004 – A Lexington, Kentucky Career 40-year old newly promoted to Lt. (3  days earlier) and 12-year veteran with the Fire Department and fellow Firefighter & Medic responded to a possible GSW victim, laying on the side of the road with blood covering her head.  Both with Lexington Fire’s Engine 18  respond along with police.  After arriving, they found the victim lying on the ground.  As they were performing inital patient assessment, a lone shooter takes a head shot to the Medic and then shoots the Lt. several times.  Police rush in but find themselves in the line of fire taking several rounds.  Due to the multiple shots fired, the lone gunman’s location is unknown.  Finally, he later he is apprehended but not before the Lt. loses her life.  Her fellow firefighter/medic is rescued.  The shooter was the original victim’s husband and was using a scoped .22 caliber target pistol.  (NIOSH report/Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Investigative Report #F2004-11.  www.cdc.gov/niosh/firenome/html.)

(3)  Firefighters are called to a house fire.

Actual Incident:  Webster, NY – December 24, 2012 – NY Firefighters respond to a house fire but as they near the scene, they are being shot at, one by one they fall.  A shooter has murdered two of them with two others seriously injured.  One firefighter is pinned down by gunfire keeps his Dispatcher apprised of the situation and continues to hang on.  He gives continued reports on his fallen Brothers and the fires that rage out of control.  All in all, two firefighters are murdered with two seriously injured.  The lone shooter has killed himself.  Media reports state they think the house was set afire intentionally to bring out first responders taking them out.  Seven houses are destroyed.

(4)  Firefighters are responding to a call, but become victims themselves unknowingly.

Actual Incident: – Kansas City, MO – February 23, 2004 – A sniper shoots at firefighters while responding to a call.

It is a known fact that violence against our Firefighters, EMS professionals and First Responders is in the workplace more than we can even imagine. These are just a few that have been reported. Why?  Some feel this is the “norm” and just “part of the job”.  This is completely crazy and you will see later in this article why it is so necessary to report it and protect yourself.

In 2009, a survey of 518 Arizona firefighters indicated 217 (42.8%) consider violence just part of the job.  In addition, 54.6% indicated that they have been personally assaulted at least one time on the job during their career. 

The Boston Herald published a story on August 2, 2005, “EMTs Under Siege…” reported a finding that approximately 700,000 EMT/Medics are assaulted annually.

Our men and women have been experiencing violence in the workplace for many years.  Here is one old statistic from 1999 from a study of 12 years in EMS:

(1)   An average of 9 assaults per medic.

(2)   170 cases of blunt trauma.

(3)   73 lacerations.

(4)   2 GSWs

(5)   10 stabbings.

(6)   1 burn.

(7)   8 fractures.

(8)   9 dislocations.

(9)   1 choking.

(10) 56 cases of miscellaneous body injuries.

EMS personnel have been the subject of so many well-covered stories in the news, such as the WTC on 9/11/01; The Pentagon; Columbine School Shootings and many others. 

A great organization, “Everyone Goes Home”, provides Special Topics – research on emerging tools that they feel fire service researchers and writers need to know about.  Go to their website at www.Everyonegoeshome.com. 

Check out this informational site with firefighters/EMS personnel and First Responders being first in mind for safety at www.LifeSAFETYIntiatives.com for the 16 Life Safety initiatives.

(1)   Cultural Change

(2)    Accountability

(3)    Risk Management

(4)    Empowerment

(5)    Training and Certification

(6)    Medical and Physical Fitness

(7)    Research Agenda

(8)    Technology

(9)    Fatality, Near Miss Investigation

(10)  Grant Support

(11)  Response Policies

(12) Violent Incident Response

(13)   Psychological Support

(14)   Public Education

(15)   Code Enforcement & Sprinklers

(16)   Apparatus Design and Safety

(Initiatives Updated October 2011.)

Sources:  EveryoneGoesHome.org, email: info@everyonegoeshome.com, (877) EGH-0361.  FireHero.org.  National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, PO Box Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.  (301) 447-1365.

An article on the website, http://firechief.com dated 2/27/2004, “Recent Violence Against Firefighters Need Action” gives some great tips on what firefighters, EMS personnel and First Responders should do (Courtesy: International Association of Fire Chiefs -(IAFC) ) Check out this great site.

I do not claim to be a Firefighter or Medic, it is a danger to all of us who respond to fire incidents (i.e. I do rehab and fire photography).  I am your biggest fan in safety and taking care of each and every one of you.  Again, when I hear that one of you has been injured or someone who has died in the Line of Duty, it completely turns my insides out.  Now, it’s time for all of us to come together and stand against violence in the workplace. 

Borrowing these great words of wisdom, “Working Towards A Policy of Zero  Tolerance for Assaults” from EMS World 2012, “Violence Against EMS Providers: What Can We Do About It?” August 2012.  http://emsworld.epubxp.com

There are many websites to help with ideas but make sure you are familiar with your Department or Agency’s policies on what to do when responding to a potentially dangerous call or situation. 

I have started a new Facebook page called, “Saving a Firefighter EMS Today Yearround.”  Join our Movement today to help firefighters, EMS personnel and First Responders to end the Violence and create a Zero Tolerance Policy.

Lawmakers need to be reminded that you all are out there to save lives and protect property.  Someone need to protect them too. 

Please join our Movement today:  Zero Tolerance for Assaults.

Wishing all of you safe travels where ever your calls may take you.

(c) 2012 The NW Fire Blog