Violence 'becoming the norm' for Winnipeg firefighters on the job, legislative change needed: union

Firefighters being hit in the face with a metal pole, punched in the stomach and threatened with death by a person who woke up from a possible overdose and pulled a knife on them are among the latest violent incidents the head of the union for firefighters in Winnipeg says highlight the need for legislative change to protect first responders.

"Unfortunately, this is just becoming a norm for us," said Nick Kasper, president of the United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg.

"You have enough of these near misses and eventually we're going to get to a situation where we have a serious but preventable outcome."

The latest incident came early Friday morning, when police say a man armed with a metal pole began hitting a fire engine responding to a call on Princess Street. After a crew member got out, he was confronted by the man, who struck the crew member with the pole. The first responder suffered minor injuries.

The union is now calling for action from all three levels of government, including amendments to the Criminal Code of Canada to make assaulting a firefighter a distinct offence — like what already exists for peace officers — and making those types of offences aggravating factors at sentencing.

Kasper said while he's not certain what impact those changes would have, what he does know is "the status quo isn't working."

"We're not looking to take a step into fulfilling the role of peace officers or police officers," he told host Faith Fundal in an interview with CBC Manitoba's Information Radio Tuesday morning.

"We're looking to strengthen legislative protections, for criminal charges — distinct criminal charges — and sentencing for anybody who would commit an act of violence against people who help others."

Kyle Ross, president of the Manitoba Government and General Employees' Union, said paramedics in Winnipeg are facing some of the same issues being raised by firefighters. He calls the proposed legislative changes a good first step, but says more is needed.

"When someone's coming at you and going to hit you in the face with a pipe, that legislation's not going to stop that person from doing that, unfortunately," Ross said. 

"I think it's a challenging fix, with the way our streets are right now, with all the mental health issues and the addiction issues…. But it's something we have to invest our time in, because these workers provide a valued service for the city of Winnipeg — and it's not fair to them that they're expected to be injured on the job."

Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham said he's drafting a motion expected to go to council Thursday that will call on the federal government to re-establish bills previously introduced but never passed into law that would introduce more serious consequences for people who assault first responders.

"We cannot have our firefighters and paramedics who are responding to emergency situations and providing medical care … endure what they're enduring when it comes to the number of assaults and violent incidents," Gillingham told reporters Tuesday.

The mayor said he believes the motion he plans to introduce is a rare one where he's "pretty confident I'll get unanimous support" from council.