Today's Article

The November 5th 1incident, an 2escalation of similar events Burlington's firefighters have been 3dealing with over the past few years. 

"Two summers ago, we had an individual try to steal our our tower truck. Unsuccessful. That was sort of an 4eye-opening moment for us, this is not good."

Kyle Blake, president of the Burlington Firefighters Association, is grateful things didn't end up any worse. 

"There was no major damage to the ambulance. It's still 5functional, which is great, and that no one was 6significantly hurt. There was 7potential there." 

The association posting the suspect's arrest 8affidavit on social media, highlighting how the suspect, who they're not naming, was arrested, 9cited, then released 10on the condition he'll show up to court the next day. Their goal in making the post to put the spotlight on a bigger issue 11at hand, an issue too familiar with the Burlington community. 

"We've received 12overwhelming support, too, from the community. They've been 13outraged by it. And our goal was not to create outrage." 

Burlington mayor Miro Weinberger agreeing with the 14BFFA. 

"It shows the need for more aggressive action, standing up new treatment efforts, trying to...standing up new 15prosecution enforcement efforts. We need a lot change on a lot of fronts."

And likewise, Blake agreeing with the mayor and even bringing it a step further. 

"What the Burlington firefighters association is not willing to do is to continue to have these types of things happen, while the higher levels of government 16play politics and wait to 17figure this out. Like our members, the community of Burlington, is potentially suffering."