There is no denying there has been increased violence against first responders and one fire commissioner in Florida wants to protect his firefighters from it according to Naples News.

Bonita Springs fire commissioner, Fred Forbes has said the department should look into giving firefighters body armor and guns to protect themselves from being shot.

Forbes said:

I think it’s something we need to evaluate. Anything to minimize the risk.

Forbes will present his proposal to the district board meeting on September 14 and he said his idea is in response to the increased violence across the United States that has claimed the lives of many first responders.

Every time you turn the news on, law enforcement are being shot and killed. There are instances already where firemen are going out on a call and being shot at. They’re less likely to be shot at, but there is an element of terrorist activity in the U.S. unfortunately.

He further said he is looking forward to coordinating with the sheriff’s office and local law enforcement agencies to figure out what would work best and after that we will reach out to Homeland Security to see if there are any grants or programs to help buy the equipment.