The FDNY has issued a ban on using hoses to control civil unrest following recent violent protests.
The order was issued Friday, according to the New York Post. While the ban prohibits FDNY firefighters from turning high-powered hoses on protesters and rioters, Commissioner Daniel Nigro has said that they can be used "for protection against sabotage (i.e. Molotov cocktail), and for fire extinguishment purposes only" during such civil unrest, the Post added.
“While the vast majority of these (protests) in NYC have not involved the response of the FDNY, there is the potential for civil unrest, or acts of violence causing immediate danger to our members,” the order states.
Nigro said that the FDNY has had a "longstanding practice" of not using hoses "in any offensive or defensive manner against people." An FDNY member also said that it has been unusual for firefighters to need to use hoses during demonstrations.
“Instances of firefighters coming under attacks from hostile crowds in New York City are rare," the member told the Post.
One such incident happened in 2011 when police were being beaten by a group of teens in Staten Island. A firefighter used an apparatus deck gun to drive back the teens, according to the Post.
