we do not really hang with the cops, truly honestly. we have a small “city” of about 13k. a full volly fd and ems. paid cops. some of whom know my stance, I’m honest. others pretend to wanna be chummy at scenes, but we largely just ignore them or stick them on traffic.

I once did a rescue of a woman with a mental problem, she started her house on fire. admitted it to me. then punched me in the face. ran back in. I donned my mask and went and “kindly” dragged her out. into the hands of the cop who saw and arrested her.

cop got a “life saving” medal. hilarious and we fd side joke about it all the time. other cops? I’ve seen them do chest compressions for a long time cause they got there first and be sad after losing someone; I still don’t want them in charge of shit and know they come with an ever present chance of violence.

there are probably 3 “full” lefties on my dept, and we do our best to shut down any standard rhetoric you might imagine we hear from some of the more “redneck cosplay dip spitting yee haw” types in the dept. but after being in 20 years I truly don’t keep my mouth shut at all. recent example was a young ff who was “complaining” about some unhoused folks squatting in an apt bldg vacancy who would not let us in a 3rd time to the apt. I kindly reminded this kid, even if they don’t “own” it they still need a place to feel like they are safe. (I had what info I needed, this guy just needed to exercise some sort of power.). I shut him down, and after some reflection I think he realized what I meant cause his demeanor changed.

sorry to ramble! being a 1st responder is a huge part of what I consider “community mutual aid.”