New York First Responders Take Online Threat Seriously

Firefighters, EMTs and paramedics across the state are urged to use caution

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – The union representing Buffalo’s firefighters is urging all of its members to be extra vigilant to keep themselves safe from a potential attack, after new threats against firefighters emerged online.

The Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 issued a safety alert this week, warning of threats from a person who claims to be part of an extremist group that say things like “As you fight, remember that the firemen and police are on the same side! Don’t be fooled” and “We are calling on all gangs across the nation! Attack everything in blue except the mailman, unless he is carrying more than mail.”

No specific threat has been made against Buffalo firefighters, and the union notes that it’s not clear how credible the threats are, but they are stressing safety for all, especially in the wake of recent ambush attacks on police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. “In this day and age, we have to take everything seriously,” said Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 president Thomas Barrett.

Buffalo Police Commissioner Garnell Whitfield told News 4 safety is the priority for all firefighters. “Safety is always the first and foremost consideration in the lives of our firefighters, so bottom line is follow the SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), be diligent, pay attention and again operate as a team,” he said. “These are all things that our men and women do on a daily basis and in times like these we just have to be more diligent.”

Following suit with Buffalo Police, the Buffalo Fire Department is taking a close look at its standard operating procedures to try to minimize the risk.

“We don’t want to see threats against any municipal employees, police, fire,” Mayor Byron Brown said Tuesday. “There are no credible threats that I know of against firefighters in the city of Buffalo, but firefighters are following their standard operating procedures, they’re getting guidance from the police department, and we’ve asked our firefighters to be on alert.”

The threats are not just concerning for firefighters, though. They have all first responders in our area on edge and thinking about staying safe.

“I thought, ‘How do we find a way to make our people safe, or safe to the extent that they can be, while they’re still serving the public?’” said Twin City Ambulance CEO Bryan Brauner, when asked about his reaction to the news of the new threats.

Brauner says an EMS provider’s job is inherently risky, and those crews get assaulted at an alarming rate.

He encourages all EMTs to wear body armor while on duty, for as much as that can do, and he is taking steps to better train his crews to protect themselves. “Four of Twin City Ambulance’s personnel, including myself became certified as defensive tactics instructors for EMS to be able to bring that knowledge back here to train our people on appropriate defensive tactics techniques, appropriate use of force, and use of situational awareness and safe distancing to never get in a situation where we wind up in any sort of hands on confrontation,” Brauner explained.

The firefighter’s union is also stressing situational awareness in light of the recent threats, and is encouraging firefighters to wait for police to arrive at a scene if the situation doesn’t feel right.

As the union’s executive board told firefighters in the safety alert it issued, “Scene safety is the most important aspect of any call.”