Fire fighters face attacks

[Standard Dave]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/5184578.stm


Fire crews face booby-trap risk

Firefighters say that the incidents are becoming more regular
Firefighters in Merseyside are regularly called to "booby-trapped" fires, their union claims.
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says crews have faced razor blades in banisters, holes in floors covered with carpet and "greased" steps.

It claims the incidents, at least 40 reported a week, are so common they are considered an "occupational hazard".

Merseyside Fire Service said it is concerned about the problem, but disputes the number of incidents.

FBU Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service secretary, Les Skarratts, told the BBC firefighters had found staircase rails with embedded razorblades or hypodermic needles and outside steps smeared with axle grease.

Disaffected youths think that firefighters are part of the establishment and are a fair target

John McGhee
FBU National Officer

Other reported incidents include removed floorboards covered over with carpet.

"It really is a serious issue for firefighters on Merseyside," he said.

"It is common for every firefighter in the area to come across the problem."

A dedicated team to tackle anti-social behaviour, including firefighter attacks, was recently set up by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, with Merseyside Police.

The fire service said it receives reports of only two or three incidents a year.

But John McGhee, FBU National Officer, says there is a "poor process" of reporting firefighter attacks, which explains the low official figures.

"It's almost like there is an attitude now that it has almost become part of the job and staff just have to put up with it and don't report it," he said.

Smashed windscreen

He said a recent national survey the FBU carried out showed there are 40 attacks a week on firefighters, but the figures could be as high as 120.

Mr McGhee said he has no real idea why these attacks are happening.

"One reason could be because disaffected youths think that firefighters are part of the establishment and are a fair target because of it," he said.

"We've had some firefighters who have been very seriously hurt - they have been stoned while tackling fires and scaffolding posts have been put through windscreens of fire engines."

[TXCharlie]

Sick SOB's need to have a high-preassure hose turned on them.

[General Patten]

Sick SOB's need to have a high-preassure hose turned on them.

or perhaps, we could light their house on fire and see what they do...

[Trojan 42]

My sons Fire Appliance regularly gets bricks thrown at it, while on the way to calls. They cover North London and have had several windscreens done on route.

[TXCharlie]

Bricks are deadly weapons - Maybe the firefighters should be armed...

Oops, never mind... That would make you jealous

[Falcata]

Oops, never mind... That would make you jealous

It's hardly going to make Trojan jealous...1) He's retired and 2) he carried firearms in a tactical team and as an instructor for over 20 years.

As for me and many other cops in the UK, we often never come into contact with an armed criminal in 30 years service......

Although there are times when I think a firearm would be a use.....I can think of 10 times more negitive issues than postive..as I write this..

[Trojan 42]

Wouldn't make me jealous. Good cops don't need guns.






(that'll get a bite! )

[Lo523]

Wouldn't make me jealous. Good cops don't need guns.

(that'll get a bite! )

[moggsp98]

Razor blades, bricks and grease-

I thought that everyone LOVED the hose humpers!

[Standard Dave]

Razor blades, bricks and grease-

I thought that everyone LOVED the hose humpers!

It's part of a larger moral decay they are seen as part of the establishment and the kids know that fire fighters and ambulance staff can't do anything back.

If you did it to cops or even some random member of the public there would be immediate consequences sometimes involving pain. The fire fighters don't have that option because they would lose their jobs for retailiating.

[TXCharlie]

The fire fighters don't have that option because they would lose their jobs for retailiating.

Well, there's your problem!!! High-preassure hoses on the assholes would make 'em think twice about throwing bricks again. Everyone should have the option of self-defense.