Seattle (WA) Firefighters Union Looks to Better Protect Members from Assaults

According to a report from KOMO, letters submitted by the Seattle (WA) City Council say that members of the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) are continuing to come under physical attack while out responding to calls.

Seattle Fire Fighters Union IAFF Local 27 President Kenny Stuart says the union has documented at least 40 alleged assaults over the past four months alone, many of which involved responding to scenes at homeless encampments. SFD firefighters are demanding the city take action to stop the assaults, which they said only seems to be worsening.

Stuart referenced two incidents: one on June 3, when SFD firefighters on a medical call to a patient who then attempted to stab them were chased around their rig when the patient tried to stab them, and another on July 18, where an SFD firefighter was struck by a large rock while helping extinguish an encampment fire.

The most recent report was filed August 18, one involving a patient during a medical call.

Stuart’s letters also reference several attacks committed by homeless people, one where SFD crews arrived at an encampment fire but instead were physically threatened by people wielding weapons, one being a steel rebar club. Another incident he noted was when a female SFD member was slapped and kicked in the groin by homeless people.

Stuart is calling on city leaders to address this troubling trend before tragedy strikes.

In a statement, Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office said that he is “continuing to work with urgency and compassion to address the homelessness crisis and public safety issues related to encampments.”

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s office said in a statement that he is “continuing to work with urgency and compassion to address the homelessness crisis and public safety issues related to encampments.” However, it remains unclear what new measures are being considered.

Since April, the SFD has launched a new forum to track the increase in assaults. SFD firefighters are now encouraged to report any threatening incidents, even those that don’t involve physical contact.

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