Although it defended protesters' constitutional rights to gather and express their outrage, the International Association of Fire Fighters objected to the way demonstrations in cities around the country had escalated, endangering firefighters, EMS workers and other first responders who are tasked with helping those in need during these events.
“Throwing rocks, fireworks or directing violence toward fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs is never acceptable," Harold Schaitberger, the IAFF's general president, said in a statement released Sunday that addressed events over the weekend that protested racism and police brutality in the wake of the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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Since Friday, firefighters have been attacked and, in some cases, injured while dealing with fire and emergency calls in Rochester, NY, and Columbia, SC. Rocks and bottles were thrown at apparatus in Cleveland and Atlanta, damaging those vehicles, and fireworks were even tossed at firefighters in Grand Rapids, MI, and Austin, TX.
"As always, the safety of our members is our top priority. So, it was with disappointment and outrage that I witnessed our members—who are integral to keeping everyone, including protesters, safe—attacked over the weekend," Schaitberger stated. "In cities from Atlanta and Austin to Cleveland and Minneapolis and St. Paul, our members were subjected to having bricks or large fireworks hurled their way, simply for doing their jobs. This is inexcusable."
While addressing incidents in its own city, Austin's firefighters union expressed similar sentiments a day earlier.
"Your Austin Firefighters are working hard to safely extinguish fires that have been set tonight downtown during the protest," the city's firefighters union said in a statement. "Just a few minutes ago a fireworks type pyrotechnics device was thrown at your Austin fire fighters while they were in the middle fighting a trash fire under I-35.
"This is simply unacceptable Austin."
Despite the potential danger first responders face during these increasingly violent demonstrations, Schaitberger said the members represented by his organization shirk their duties on calls.
"In the middle of the challenges and turmoil, I am proud of our IAFF fire fighters, paramedics and EMTs who are once again proving their dedication to keeping their communities safe when they are needed most," he stated. "Fire fighters will continue to respond when needed; it is their job and their calling. On behalf of our 320,000 IAFF members, please allow your fire fighters on the frontlines to do that job, keeping everyone safe, without violence or incident."
Firehouse continues compiling updates of photos, videos and details from incidents involving firefighters and other first responders during protests and riots in cities around the country.
Atlanta
On Friday, Atlanta Fire Rescue posted a video showing apparatus that had been vandalized and damaged while firefighters put out a restaurant blaze near Lenox Mall.
A firefighter with the Sandy Springs Fire Department posted a video of people throwing rocks at the apparatus he was in while responding to calls in Atlanta on Friday.
The firefighter also posted photos of the damage those rocks did to the vehicle.
Rochester, NY
A Rochester firefighter was injured and taken to the hospital after protests near the city's Public Safety Building on Saturday turned violent.
A video posted Sunday on the Facebook page for Monroe County Fire Wire shows people climbing on the firefighter's apparatus and cracking the vehicle's windshield. The union said the firefighter suffered minor injuries in the attack.
Rochester police are asking the public for help identifying people accused of attacking the firefighter, as well as setting several city cars on fire, WHEC-TV reports. Investigators are looking for information on at least 11 suspects and 13 arrests already have been made.
Anyone with information about the people involved in the attack and property damage should call 3-1-1 or Crimestoppers at (585) 423-9300.
Charlotte, NC
Firefighters had rocks thrown at them while they were responding to an emergency call during protests Saturday, according to police.
Later that day, a photo was posted on social media of a Charlotte firefighter taping a damaged apparatus window.
Los Angeles and Santa Monica, CA
Firefighters rushed into a building near Fourth Street and Santa Monica Boulevard in Santa Monica on Sunday as thick clouds of smoke came from the structure. Crews worked to put out the blaze, and it's not clear how the fire started.
Police and National Guard troops patrolled Santa Monica, Los Angeles and San Diego as protesters looted businesses and set buildings burning.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas issued a warning to anyone out in the streets while crews responded to emergencies.
"If you are blocking our firefighters so they can’t answer calls for help, we have no tolerance for that type of behavior," he wrote on Twitter. "It is wrong. If a loved one dies or a business is set on fire & we are blocked from getting there, it’s a dire, direct consequence. I ask you to be better."
Lincoln, NE
Three men were handcuffed by police after they extinguished fires along Lincoln Mall that were started by protesters late Saturday, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Xavier Packett, Dillon Siebe and David Lehmkuhl said they saw vandals ignite blazes inside three buildings, and they doused the flames with a bottle of water and an extinguisher. They then were arrested by police, despite other demonstrators explaining they were helping.
Eventually, the three were let go, and officers apologized for the mistake.
"I definitely understand their aggression with everything that was going on," Siebe told the Star.
Boston
More than 20 Boston police vehicles were vandalized late Sunday, including at least one that was destroyed by flames on Tremont Street, the Boston Herald reports.
By mid afternoon Sunday, at least seven police officers had been injured and taken to the hospital following incidents with rioters. Several officers also were evaluated and treated at the scene.
New York City
Since Friday, nearly 50 NYPD vehicles have been damaged, and more than a dozen of those have been set on fire, The New York Times reports.
In a video posted online by The Majestirium1, FDNY firefighters are shown dousing a police SUV engulfed in flames Saturday. So far, at least four people have been charged stemming from the firebombing of police vehicles, the Times added.
Minneapolis
Firefighters have gotten creative in Minneapolis in order to put out blazes during the multiple days and nights of protests and riots in the city.
A Minnesota State Patrol helicopter was being used to draw water from south Minneapolis lakes and then dropping it on car fires and other incidents around the city, KMSP-TV reports. Videos of the helicopter water drops have been shared online.
