First responders in Lethbridge are sounding the alarm on the abuse emergency crew members can face when on the job.
The Lethbridge Fire Fighters Association, or IAFF Local 237, says this is a growing concern for firefighter-paramedics across the country.
President Brent Nunweiler notes acts of violence, whether that be verbal or physical abuse, against first responders not only threaten their safety but can delay life-saving treatment they are providing.
“We already have a dangerous job, but if there’s an increase in violent attacks on our first responders, it makes our job even more challenging and delays our ability to get to those people who need those life-saving interventions,” Nunweiler says.
He notes IAFF Local 237 is joining the International Association of Fire Fighters in calling for stronger federal protection for frontline emergency workers.
Nunweiler says progress was being made on Bill C-321, to secure more protection for first responders faced with violent incidents and abuse on the job, but that was scrapped when Parliament dissolved earlier this year. With this renewed call to action, he hopes another piece of similar legislation can be brought forward.
“Deterring violence against our first responders would keep both our members and the public safe,” Nunweiler states.
“We need the federal government to have our back while we’re responding to the community in need.”
LFES CHIEF RESPONSE
Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Chief Greg Adair weighed in on these concerns.
Adair notes that since 2023, incidents of violence against first responders, specifically in Lethbridge, have seen a downward trend.
However, he says this is still an important topic of discussion for the whole country.
“Violence against first responders is a serious thing, [and] we ask the public to treat our people with the utmost respect and professionalism. We are there to help you in your time of need,” Adair remarks. “We ask that you give our men and women enough room so that they can work effectively to try to take care of your loved ones.”
“Violence against first responders is something we all need to be aware of, and we all need to be out there ensuring first responders can do their job safely, and this is on a national level,” he adds.
Adair cites stress as one of the reasons situations could get violent when crews are on scene of an emergency.
“Whatever that stress is, they react perhaps inappropriately and that comes out sometimes in the form of violence,” he says.
Adair notes that local first responders are trained in de-escalation tactics, in case a situation does get violent, and LFES works alongside the Lethbridge Police Service to hone those skills. “We really try to invest in our men and women and their safety,” he says.
He adds that if a crew member does not feel comfortable in a situation that has gotten violent, they can step away from the scene until LPS members arrive for assistance.
“We don’t want our men and women to be exposed to violence,” Adair states.
“We ask them to safely step back until help can come to ensure the scene is safe and they can provide the care that is required.”
