Spokane Fire Department said they are seeing an increase of violent calls that have jeopardized the safety of first responders.
The Spokane Fire Department responded to a house fire earlier this week.
The homeowner became violent. He struck a firefighter in the face while being rescued. He became violent again, striking another first responder. Both firefighters were sent to the hospital due to injuries from this man. The patient was charged with assault but the cause of the violent behavior is still unknown.
“We have had responders that have been shot, responders that have been stabbed and hurt like ours were,” said Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer.
These days, flames and smoke are not the biggest threat to our first responders. Many times it is the people they are tasked with saving.