The Spokane Fire Department is changing how it answers calls after threats against on-duty firefighters going to help near a downtown homeless shelter.
According to Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer, people have tagged equipment and threatened firefighters.
"They've been armed by what we would identify as weapons, pipes and other methods of blunt force trauma," Schaeffer said. "We've had our equipment tagged, damaged, and one of the ambulances was entered and attempted to be stolen while they attempted to take care of patients." That's why, about three months ago, changes came to the department.
Schaeffer said now an extra vehicle goes and at least six people respond to calls for help near the homeless shelter. Some firefighters are there to help with what's usually a medical emergency, while others look out for any danger.