The president of the International Association of Fire Chiefs became another voice condemning the violence against firefighters and EMS workers during protests and riots in cities around the country over the weekend.
"We are here to help. That is what firefighters, paramedics and EMTs do. Especially in the most difficult of times," Chief Gary Ludwig, president and chairman of the board for the IAFC, said in a statement Monday.
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His voice was added to the chorus of those upset by firefighters who were attacked when peaceful demonstrations held Saturday and Sunday turned violent. Two firefighters in Columbia, SC, were hurt in an incident, and police in Rochester, NY, are trying to identify the individuals who are accused of assaulting a firefighter and damaging the apparatus he was in.
Fire department vehicles in Cleveland and Atlanta were damaged and vandalized while crews responded to calls. In Austin, TX, and Grand Rapids, MI, firecrackers were lobbed at firefighters.
"Despite extremely dangerous conditions, the nation's firefighters are on the front lines attending to the injured and extinguishing fires," Ludwig said. "We do not judge. We act. That is why it is enormously distressing to see our firefighters and EMS personnel attacked by stones, rocks, bricks, fireworks, and in other ways."
On Sunday, Harold Schaitberger, the general president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, voiced similar concerns in a statement. While defending people's constitutional rights to gather express themselves, he was outraged that some were trying to physically harm firefighters, EMTs and other first responders.
The past weekend's events had been sparked by the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, who died after he was arrested by Minneapolis police. What started as demonstrations to protest police violence and racism—first in Minneapolis, then across the country—turned to rioting, looting and arson in many instances.
"No one's cause is furthered by bringing harm to those who are sworn to protect us," Ludwig stated. "These are the same people who have risked their safety to come to our homes in recent months to treat you or a loved one during the COVID-19 pandemic. The same people who ran toward the towers on 9/11. The same people who will fight through smoke and flames to get to your child trapped in their bedroom.
"Firefighters have only one mission—to save lives and protect property. Please help them complete that mission safely," he added.
