Firefighters told not to wear uniforms off-duty for their own safety
In Colorado recently firefighter uniforms are being changed to look less like police. Now, in Texas, there is a warning from the San Antonio chief and the union in Houston.
San Antonio firefighters have received an internal memo asking that they do not wear their uniforms while going to and from work.
“We had heard information that there had been a Houston fire captain that had been targeted, some other firefighters in the Houston area that had been targeted just by having uniforms on,” SAFD Chief Charles Hood said. “We don’t know if they were looking for firefighters or law enforcement officials, but it was something that we want to make sure that we increase the awareness or the situational awareness of our firefighters here in San Antonio.”
Hood’s concern is that SAFD firefighter uniforms — including polo shirts, button-down shirts and T-shirts — closely resemble police uniforms. In light of several recent attacks on first responders across the country, Hood wants members of his department to be especially cautious.
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That tense climate has played out across the U.S. Most recently, a deputy was shot and killed in Houston while pumping gas. A firefighter was also killed in Michigan after authorities said a driver intentionally struck him with his vehicle while the firefighter was collecting money for the ‘Fill The Boot’ campaign.
Such tension has sparked SAFD to send out a memo to firefighters telling them not to wear their uniforms to and from work as a safety precaution.
