San Antonio firefighters have received an internal memo asking that they do not wear their uniforms while going to and from work.
"We had heard information that there had been a Houston fire captain that had been targeted, some other firefighters in the Houston area that had been targeted just by having uniforms on," SAFD Chief Charles Hood said. "We don't know if they were looking for firefighters or law enforcement officials, but it was something that we want to make sure that we increase the awareness or the situational awareness of our firefighters here in San Antonio."
Hood's concern is that SAFD firefighter uniforms -- including polo shirts, button-down shirts and T-shirts -- closely resemble police uniforms. In light of several recent attacks on first responders across the country, Hood wants members of his department to be especially cautious.
"We are at a disadvantage just by the nature of what we do, but again, if we can improve the awareness of the firefighters in all activities that we do, then we're going to try to make them a little bit safer. Firefighters have been very fortunate but it's something that we want to make sure that we make our members aware of when they are not on duty," Hood said.