By EMS1 Staff
SPOKANE, Wash. — A medical call turned violent for firefighters when the man being treated pulled a gun on them, according to officials.
KHQ reported that the man went back inside his home to grab a gun. Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer said the firefighters were forced to call police when the man pointed the gun at them.
“The person went from a normal status like you and I talking here to extremely violent,” Chief Schaeffer said.
Chief Schaeffer said this is becoming more common for firefighters, and that they respond to around 20 mental health calls a day, more than ever before.
“The situation for us has really changed,” Chief Schaeffer said. “First responders across the country that have been targeted by people, they’ve been shot while entering homes during an EMS call. We’ve had domestic terrorists that have targeted, selected and attacked public safety officials so it really has changed the landscape.”
The fire department is currently looking at different safety measures for firefighters responding to calls.