Because of increasingly dangerous situations, Fire Station 1, which responds in the downtown area of Anchorage, is responding with extra people to provide security for fire fighters and stations rigs. The Anchorage Fire Department says that when Station 1 responds to Bean's Cafe, Brother Francis Shelter, and Karluk Street, vehicles have been vandalized, and some of the firefighters have dealt with crowds of people who can turn violent when crews arrive at the shelters.
"When they encounter violence against them, it's difficult because 'we're just here to help' is generally the feeling that we have," said Alex Boyd, training assistant fire chief for AFD.