City firefighters train to deal with violent situations
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HOME PAGE SLIDE SHOW PHOTO: Bellefontaine Firefighter Andy Matt, grabs the throat of “assailant” Doug Hager as Shannon Reames takes control of a hand holding a foam club during a training exercise Saturday to help the first responders be better prepared for potentially violent situations during medical calls. The seated “patient” in the exercise is Fire Chief Andy Fissel. ABOVE: Bellefontaine Assistant Fire Chief Dwayne Dow, who is checking on “patient” Doug Hager reacts as Assistant Fire Chief T.J. Weikart comes at him with a weapon. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | REUBEN MEES) |
Normally the first on the scene of emergencies, firefighters and emergency medical personnel constantly run the risk of encountering violent situations or erratic people with the potential for violence.
For that reason, Bellefontaine Fire Chief Andy Fissel coordinated a two-part training class Saturday for firefighters to learn what to do and things to avoid to stay safe.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had an encounter with a firearm and it was handled quickly,” Chief Fissel said after the training. “You never know when something’s going to go bad. It’s best to have the guys prepared for any situation because a violent situation could occur at any place at any time.”
Jeremy Jones, who runs the Edgerton-based Family Protection Group with his wife, Vicki, taught the course, which was conducted at the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center.
It consisted of two parts, the first of which was called “Assault — A New Reality,” and focused on the growing problem of violence on emergency medical calls.
“The world we’re in has changed in recent years,” Mr. Jones said. “Before, everyone loved firemen, but now, that’s not always the case.”
Read complete story in Monday’s Examiner.
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