Draw to Help a Firefighter?

[kayt00]

This was in the news this morning. Would this have been another situation to draw your weapon to assist a oubluc servant?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wfaa. ... -587985153

Firefighters were being chased so they ran to lock themselves in the fire engine and called DPD for help. But no DPD officers were available.

[Liberty]

It seems to me that DFD, were had the situation reasonably controlled, as described by the news article, I would have stood a safe distance away been a good witness, and been prepared to draw if things changed. Drawing prematurely could escalate things real fast.

But yeah, if things got any worse, It would call for taking a more active position.

[Bitter Clinger]

Took DPD 15 minutes to respond while firefighters were under attack. Can you say Detroit?

[oljames3]

It seems to me that DFD, were had the situation reasonably controlled, as described by the news article, I would have stood a safe distance away been a good witness, and been prepared to draw if things changed. Drawing prematurely could escalate things real fast.

But yeah, if things got any worse, It would call for taking a more active position.

For me, using deadly force is the last option. DFD firefighters had the situation under control such that I could not add anything. Again, each situation has its own considerations.

[kayt00]

Maybe its just bad Hollywood but I saw this and remembered a line from American History X where Danny and Derricks dad (two main characters) was killed whilst doing his job as a Firefighter.
Public servants shouldn't have to deal with this stuff, and frankly its infuriating that they do. Maybe if more people carried. I can see a situation like this becoming tragic if that were the case however.

[RPBrown]

I would be a good witness first, and if things escalated, I would help in any way possible including deadly force.

[Lynyrd]

I don't see haw drawing your gun would have helped at all in this particular situation. The maniac was trying to attack several fireman with a knife. I do not think he would have backed down from a private citizen with a gun. If anything, drawing a weapon under these circumstances escalates the situation. The firemen had the situation under control, they just needed the PD to show up with handcuffs and arresting authority.

[JustSomeOldGuy]

I would have offered the Firefighters zip ties and/or duct tape (usually have at least one of those in the truck). Too redneck a solution?

[bblhd672]

Editor's note: After the publication of the story, Dallas police released a statement explaining the timeline of the incident. Police are reviewing why the call was downgraded at the 911 center. Since the incident, a new directive from Dallas Fire-Rescue to its crew is effective immediately. All DFR crews will respond to calls of violent crimes, but will park a safe distance away and wait for Dallas police to show up.

I don't understand why the fire department would roll on a violent crime call in the first place. Seems like they would have better things to do..like fires and rescues.

[C-dub]

Fire hose him into submission.

[ELB]

I don't understand why the fire department would roll on a violent crime call in the first place. Seems like they would have better things to do..like fires and rescues.

1. Violent calls often provide things for fire department to do (note that this one include the suspect setting fire to things.). FD’s often have rescue capabilities that are useful, like medical 1st responders, ladders, lights, tools to open things, etc.

2. Calls to 911 are often remarkably short on details, and often the situation on scene is completely different than what was reported (or what the dispatcher understood). So it’s not unusual to send all the cavalry’s horses until the incident commander figures out how much help he really needs and sends units back home.

3. Sometimes things just get screwed up. I responded to a medical call for chest pain that was toned out to our VFD. I found my patient sitting on a chair in the driveway holding his chest. As I started to deal with him a deputy rolled up, which was normal since they responded to all medical calls. But when deputy asked “where’s the guy threatening people?” and my patient said “he’s in the house” i suddenly found out this was more than just chest pain. Turns out the patient’s uncle had been threatening to beat up his nephew and chasing him around the house, and nephew (about 50-something) developed shortness of breath and chest pain. Dispatch did not warn me to “stage for deputies”.

[Salty1]

Let me see, firefighters call in an emergency help request a civillian decides to draw his gun to "protect" them. The cops roll up and the first thing they see is a person with a gun, sounds like a good way to get shot. How could anybody reasonably think that the cops would know who the bad guy actually is at the moment they show up? All they will see is a man with a gun and that has the potential to end very badly....

[jb2012]

Let me see, firefighters call in an emergency help request a civillian decides to draw his gun to "protect" them. The cops roll up and the first thing they see is a person with a gun, sounds like a good way to get shot. How could anybody reasonably think that the cops would know who the bad guy actually is at the moment they show up? All they will see is a man with a gun and that has the potential to end very badly....

To me this is the same argument that many used against campus carry. While I agree, this is not the time for drawing your weapon, I agree on separate terms. This statement sort of discredits the police’ (police is both plural and singular correct?) judgement. We take this risk ANY time one decides to use lethal force, or display for that matter. Second off, if any of the responding firemen are being dilligent in the situation they are notifying the police via radio, who is who, before they even arive on scene. Once again I don’t disagree with you, just different perspective.