Quote:
Originally Posted by 1biggun
How would anybody know what chance they would have had? reports I read said SWAT had to rescue other pined down fireman. 1 of the men killed was also a police officer why wasn't he armed? the cop was likely the intended target to begin with.
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The 2 that were killed, according to reports on firefighter forums, were shot almost immediately upon exiting their vehicle. The 2 killed were volunteer firefighters one of whom worked as a police officer, and the other worked as a dispatcher. When they were killed they were acting as volunteer firefighters. Hence the officer would likely not be armed.
If you listen to the radio transmissions one firefighter that was shot in the leg and back managed to escape before police arrived on scene with the aid of neighbors and his POV.
I was opposed to arming firefighters prior to this incident and I am still opposed to it now. Further, if they were armed how would ou propose they carry their weapons? In a coat pocket where it could be exposed to high heat? Or under their turnout gear where it would be virtually inaccessible? Sorry, it just is impractical and frankly not our job. Other than wack jobs like tis that set this up to kill firefighters we are still for the most part seen as the good guys and once it is known we are carrying guns on duty that attitude would change. That may be okay in your mind, but that goodwill makes it much easier for us to do our job most days.