Fire Mission
The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has suspended The Phoenix Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue team for being accompanied by armed police officers while performing their duties.
"This is crazy," Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon said Monday. "This is a rule that was designed before the world changed, pre-9/11. You can't stand on bureaucracy if we're going to protect and save lives, and that's what these teams do."
As a result of FEMA's actions, Phoenix officials are considering several options, including pulling their unit out of the program.
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As we have reported in several stories, the situation in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina was a nightmare. As looters sacked the region, remaining survivors were forcibly disarmed by authorities and left at the mercy of the criminals. Numerous reports have surfaced of rescuers being fired upon by the thugs who had temporarily taken control of the region.
In the face of such adversity, it is not only common sense, but the duty of rescuers to take steps to ensure their own safety. Whether by having armed escorts, or better yet arming themselves, the actions of the Phoenix rescue team are to be commended, not result in disciplinary action.
The FEMA policies against firearms endanger lives, not save them. They need to be changed. If rescue teams have police or security officers available, they should be allowed to utilize them. And the rescuers should be allowed to legally arm themselves as well. They are already being asked to risk their own safety for others. Requiring them to be helpless as well is just too much to ask.
Call or write FEMA to urge them to amend their policy to protect their rescue volunteers:
FEMA
500 C Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20472
Phone: (800) 621-FEMA
Email:
[email protected]