Firefighter safety remains a top concern during large-scale civil unrest, according to a report published by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
The IAFF highlighted recent protests in Los Angeles following immigration enforcement actions as a key example of the operational challenges faced by fire and EMS crews.
As demonstrations intensified, with major roads blocked and vehicles set on fire, the Los Angeles Emergency Operations Center (EOC) shifted to a Level 2 activation.
According to the IAFF, this meant that fire and law enforcement agencies began coordinating all response efforts through the EOC with law enforcement escorts required in areas identified as high risk.
LAFD Public Information Officer Adam VanGerpen, a member of Local 112, said: “Safety is paramount. So, it is critical that fire fighters stay mission-focused and wait until they can respond with law enforcement.
“With police watching for any signs of danger, we can quickly get in and get out.”
The Los Angeles County Fire Department told IAFF that its approach to protests includes pre-positioning task force units near potential hot zones.
These units usually consist of a fire truck, engine, and ladder company and can be expanded depending on threat levels.
VanGerpen explained that decisions on when to intervene are based on proximity to buildings and threat to life or property.
He said: “It was not safe for us to go in there. So, we were not going in unless the cars were positioned near buildings and the potential for the fire spreading was high.
“In those cases, we went in and knocked out the fires and got out.”
According to the IAFF, these procedures aim to balance public safety needs with first responder protection.
Departments also adjust their strategies based on the nature of the protest and whether there is intelligence suggesting an elevated threat level.
Minneapolis fire and EMS services have refined their response strategy following the protests in 2020 after the death of George Floyd.
Minneapolis Local 82 President Mark Lakosky told IAFF that first responders remained on high alert earlier this month following a fatal shooting involving local elected officials and the scheduled No Kings demonstrations.
Assistant Fire Chief Wes VanVickle, also a Local 82 member, said: “During those protests, it was fire after fire after fire.
“We were in constant response mode, always going in with our task force unit, complemented by police units.
“It was an intense pace until the National Guard could arrive to supplement our response.”
VanVickle added that keeping communication open, maintaining command coordination, and regularly rotating task force members are all essential to reducing fatigue and risk.
He said: “We are all trained in what to do in these scenarios. To stay safe, we just have to remain mission focused.
“Have a command center, keep communication lines open, know what all related agencies are doing, and keep your head on a swivel.”
Washington D.C. fire services also implement a task force structure in response to large-scale gatherings, ranging from peaceful rallies to full-scale civil unrest.
Captain Ray Edwards, a leader within the DC Fire and EMS Department Special Operations Division and Local 36 member, told IAFF that coordination with police and federal agencies is standard protocol.
Edwards said: “We have to be ready to respond within those environments.
“We go in with more units and staff and never go in without a police escort.”
He explained that intelligence is shared from agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security to prepare for expected threats and crowd sizes.
Edwards added that heat exhaustion is a common issue during peaceful marches, but crowd volatility increases the likelihood of fire incidents.
He said: “The smaller trash can fires that aren’t threatening any nearby structures, we may let burn out.
“But, if it’s leaning up against a building, we will go in with law enforcement and quickly put it out.”
The IAFF has also developed specific training courses designed to help fire and EMS professionals remain safe in hostile or violent settings.
According to the IAFF, its Workplace Violence Prevention for First Responders course provides initial strategies for personal protection.
A follow-up course, Practical Strategies for Safety, uses real-life examples to help participants understand risk and decision-making in unpredictable situations.
Both courses are designed to address increasing risks fire fighters face in situations beyond typical fireground hazards.
The IAFF stated that these resources are part of a broader push to equip responders with the tools needed for safe performance in high-risk environments.
Departments in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Washington D.C. were cited by the IAFF as having developed multi-agency models that could guide other regions.
The IAFF reported that recent protests in Los Angeles required changes to standard emergency response protocols.
The Los Angeles EOC was moved to Level 2 activation during the protests.
Firefighters were only permitted to enter high-risk areas with a police escort.
Task force units were deployed based on pre-identified zones of risk.
VanGerpen of LAFD said fire crews remained focused on safety during volatile moments.
In Minneapolis, leaders reviewed lessons from 2020 to inform current planning.
VanVickle said continuous coordination with police was critical during civil unrest.
Washington D.C. task force units operate using intelligence shared by federal agencies.
Captain Edwards said D.C. crews modify response based on whether a gathering is peaceful or hostile.
The IAFF offers training courses focused on violence prevention and situational awareness.
