WILMINGTON, Del. — A fire chief has begun carrying a firearm to protect himself after taking on more code enforcement duties.
Delaware Online reported that Wilmington Fire Chief Anthony Goode has been carrying a firearm for about a month, saying he and the mayor’s staff thought he should protect himself.
“Firefighters are always in dangerous situations. You never know what you’re going to be walking into,” Chief Goode said.
While the city’s fire marshals also carry weapons, Goode said his decision to carry will not cause all Wilmington firefighters to arm themselves, according to the report.
“There’s an argument being made right now that a lot of firefighters probably should carry weapons,” Chief Goode said.
Wilmington’s policy allows only “sworn personnel authorized by state law to carry weapons in the normal performance of their duties” to carry weapons on city property, into city vehicles or on city time, according to the report.