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Ind. FD mulls response changes after firefighter stabbed in the face on call

Evansville Fire Department Division Chief Mike Larson said the community loses out when firefighters are forced to be more cautious due to threat of violence

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The EFD is considering changes to response protocols, Division Chief Mike Larson said, which could hurt the community in the long run.

Photo/EFD

By Rachel Engel

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Fire officials at Evansville Fire Department are considering changes to protocol and safety procedures after one of their firefighters was stabbed on a call.

After hearing screams inside the home and announcing their presence, firefighters opened the door, only to have John Deer stab one of them in the face, 44 News WEVV reported.

[Read next: Police: Ind. firefighter stabbed in the face by patient]

Deer attempted to stab the firefighter a second time, but the injured firefighter was able to subdue him until police arrived.

EFD Division Chief Mike Larson said the incident was unlike any call he’d heard of before.

“In my 29 years, I am not aware of anything even remotely close to having someone that we are coming to help attack us,” Larson said.

The EFD is considering changes to response protocols, he said, which could hurt the community in the long run.

“Somebody could pay the price because our firefighters have to be more cautious now,” Larson said. “Now because of this particular incident and the incidents happening across the country, our firefighters are going to have to approach the doors a little more cautiously.”

The firefighter who was stabbed returned to work less than two hours after the incident.


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