BUFFALO, N.Y. — A firefighter union released a safety alert this week after threats surfaced online, calling on gangs to attack “everything in blue.”
The Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 Union issued the alert after an individual claiming to be part of an extremist group wrote, “As you fight, remember that the firemen and police are on the same side! Don’t be fooled … We are calling on all gangs across the nation! Attack everything in blue except the mailman, unless he is carrying more than mail.”
While no specific threat has been made against Buffalo firefighters, the union urged fire and EMS personnel to work with heightened safety in mind. It is unclear how credible the threats are.
“In this day and age, we have to take everything seriously,” Buffalo Union President Thomas Barrett told WIVB4.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Garnell Whitfield said, “Safety is always the first and foremost consideration in the lives of our firefighters, so bottom line is to follow standard operating procedures, be diligent, pay attention and again operate as a team.”
Although the threats specifically name firefighters and police, officials have warned EMS employees to remain on alert as well.
Twin City Ambulance CEO Bryan Brauner encouraged all EMTs to wear body armor while on duty. Brauner and three other agency employees are certified defensive tactics instructors for EMS. Brauner noted the importance of bringing “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.”
“Scene safety is the most important aspect of any call,” the union’s executive board stated in the safety alert.