DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Police and fire departments work side-by-side responding to 911 calls.
But De Pere Fire Chief Alan Matzke tells FOX 11 that also involves the same risks.
“We don’t know if they have weapons in that home, we don’t know as to their mental health, so we find ourselves in a vulnerable position.”
That’s why he says they’re taking their partnership into the classroom.
And, Jake Nowak, officer and defense instructor at the De Pere Police Department, says it’s all to better prepare firefighters for situations where they need to defend themselves.
“What we’re trying to do is at least provide them with a little bit of something. So, in the event, that they are faced with sudden assault or get in a bad situation, they have something to fall back on.”
Throughout the course, he says firefighters are taught basic defense skills.
“Police, we get many hours of this training, in the academy, we do annual in services, where they have nothing. This is the first time they’re going to be exposed to that training.”
The training is one Nowak says will keep first responders safe, “You never know when that sudden assault is going to happen.”
Matzke says this collaboration strengthens their partnership, when responding to emergencies.
“In fact, we start to look at each response more integrated. What piece can police do better, and what piece can fire do better.”
The agencies say police officers are also involved in fire safety training.
