ARMED AND DANGEROUS SITUATION

First, let me say that I am a supporter of the Second Amendment and our constitutional right as citizens to bear arms - so, calm down now before you read any further, I don't want your guns! That being said, I am not a supporter of any hypothesis where firefighters and first-responders are armed. I am not a cop, nor do I want to be! Law-enforcement is a highly specialized field where personnel are trained, trained, and trained on how and when to use, or not use, deadly force. I am a firefighter, and I train, train, and train, to help people in need and serve my community in a non-combatant role. I see a very distinct difference in our roles to protect the communities we serve.

What's more, I see only bad things on the horizon for the fire service if communities decide to arm their first responders - both legally and socially. If the fire and EMS service want better protection, it is my belief that more cops on the street and asking them respond to the scene of every call is the answer. Let the folks who are trained to deal with these situations handle these situations. After all, would you want a cop taking your pre-connect upon arrival and making entry because they obtained some state minimum firefighter training? I didn't think so!

Let cops be the cops - I don't want a gun!

Please keep your comments civil, folks - all others will be deleted. That being said, let's have a discussion… I want to hear your thoughts.

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