Firefighters speak out about on-the-job violence

By Lethbridge Herald on September 9, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Fire Fighters Association, IAFF Local 237, is sounding the alarm on violence towards firefighters and paramedics while on duty. 

Brent Nunweiler, President of IAFF Local 237, said that to address this issue, IAFF Local 237 is joining the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in calling for stronger federal protections for frontline emergency workers. 

The union is urging the Government of Canada to pass legislation amending the Criminal Code of Canada to establish meaningful penalties for assaults on first responders.

“It’s not a new issue,” said Nunweiler. “This is a dangerous job where our members out their lives on the line every day. We have seen an increase in physical and verbal abuse and assault on our membership and it was in our best interest to speak up,” said Nunweiler. 

He said when members lives are at risk, this takes away from their ability to provide live-saving care to the community. 

“This is more of a community issue than a firefighter safety issue. Everyone’s at risk with this. We are hoping that this awareness limits those cases and allows our members to provide the care to the community and make sure they are not worried about their own safety,” said Nunweiler. 

Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Chief Greg Adair said violence against first responders is a very serious matter. 

“We ask the public to treat our people with the outmost respect and professionalism. We are there to help you in your time of need, we want to be able to help those individuals, so please that is not the place for violence,” said Adair. 

He asked that people give them enough room to work effectively to try and take care of those that need help. 

Adair explained that first responders are experiencing verbal abuse on an “all too often” basis and occasionally they experience physical violence as well. 

“We spend a lot of time with our men and women, and we give them significant training on things like de-escalation of situations that could lead to violence,” said Adair. 

First responders are also equipped with ballistic vests, safety glasses and latex gloves for protection. 

Adair said the attacks and attackers vary depending on the situation, but that first responders have been on the receiving end from both patients and bystanders.

“There is a number of reasons, and I will suggest stress whenever people are going through a significant event in their life, sometimes they may react perhaps inappropriately and that sometimes comes out in the form of violence,” said Adair. 

Adair said in Lethbridge, violence has been trending down, but this is an issue that is affecting first responders across the country. 

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Chmie

1 day ago

Although I believe that first responders experience verbal and physical assault while performing their duties but I suggest statistics would have been a sure fire way to prove their assertion. I think the govt should increase penalties for assault against anyone not just first responders then the judicial system must be more strict rather than letting the criminals walk with a strict talking to.

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