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American public safety personnel carry guns. That is, depending on their role. For instance, police officers in the United States carry sidearms nationwide. However, firefighters, EMS professionals, and other fire department employees don’t typically carry firearms. That said, are firefighters even allowed to carry guns in firetrucks? 

Most fire departments would frown on or restrict firefighters from carrying guns in their firetrucks

Fire departments want their professionals focused on a very important task: protecting lives and property. As such, departments don’t focus on arming or encouraging their firefighters to carry guns in their firetrucks. 

Still, that doesn’t mean the topic isn’t a hot debate among firefighters. According to Firehouse, emergency medical services (EMS) personnel and firefighters in all but two states are bound by the regulations of their employers. That means if their department says no, it’s a no. 

However, given the sensitive nature of their work, some firefighters may choose to keep a weapon in their rig. After all, firefighters tend to arrive on many homeowners’ and drivers’ worst days. People at emergency scenes can be irate, scared, even hostile. Still, the majority of fire departments will have policies restricting weapons. That, or they’ll have no policy on the matter, allowing firefighters to use their best judgment. Still, any unsafe scene warrants police action, not those of a gun-toting firefighter. 

That said, unlike law enforcement officers (LEOs), firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics tend not to receive any firearms or combat training. My firefighting training at a regional academy didn’t include any training of the sort. However, one of the public safety professionals in my department preferred to work while armed, carrying a Glock 17 in an outer waistband (OWB) holster. However, it should be noted that my department is a Kentucky entity, one of the two states with laws protecting employees from employer mandates regarding firearms. 

There is, as with many things in this crazy life, an exception to the rule. For instance, the Louisville Airport Authority Department of Public Safety (LAADPS) at Mahammed Ali International Airport (SDF) trains and employs professionals with both police and firefighting tasks. However, when a dual-role professional is riding one of the agency’s firetrucks, you won’t likely find them armed.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and M-ATVs. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with experience covering everything from sports cars to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations (IRG) from the University of Texas at Austin and has studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC).