Seattle firefighters are speaking out against a budget proposal that would end clean-ups of unauthorized homeless camps in the city.
In a letter to councilmember Kshama Sawant, Seattle Firefighters Union President Kenny Stuart said, "Needle sticks, exposure to biohazard and contaminants, and assault are serious issues that our firefighters face at unauthorized encampments every day."
And Stuart says the "proposal to restrict the City from appropriately addressing unauthorized encampments on public land creates a substantial hazard for firefighters and, in our opinion, would lead to greater medical and fire emergencies for our most vulnerable residents."