MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — The Montgomery County Firefighters Association is condemning statements from county leaders who said first responders violated the “Trust Act” last week during an incident along the Potomac River.
They said, “We answer every call without hesitation because personal beliefs and politics have no place in the emergency services we provide.”
RELATED | ICE agents on scene of federal operation near Potomac River in Montgomery County
7News cameras were there near Cabin John, where Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was prepared to assist with a swift water rescue after suspects in a federal traffic stop jumped into the river.
The letter from the union was sent to Councilmember Kristin Mink.
She told 7News, technically, that when firefighters showed up to help after three men went into the Potomac River, the first responders were violating the Trust Act.
This was also shared by County Executive Marc Elrich.
“I don’t want people screening calls in making decisions,” Elrich said. “If somebody’s life is at risk, our job is to save lives; that’s what we’re going to go out and do, whether ICE is involved or not involved. That would be like saying don’t go into a burning building because ICE wants to take people out of the building.”
Mink emphasized that the first responders were put in an impossible situation.
“They did the right thing responding and responding promptly and making sure that they were needed and lives were protected,” Mink told 7News. “It does still beg the question of in some of these highly unusual situations when federal law enforcement is also present, how can we best handle the situation?”
Firefighters said by the time they showed up, the three people federal officers were pursuing were out of the water.
The union is now calling on councilmembers to publicly retract their statements and issue an apology to Montgomery County firefighters and paramedics.
The union said, “Regardless of the criticism, our members will answer the call every day with professionalism and dedication that the residents of Montgomery County have come to expect.”
RELATED | 2 arrested after fleeing ICE agents during chase into the Potomac River
An ICE spokesperson provided 7News with this statement:
On July 22, ICE arrested two illegal aliens along the shore of the Potomac River after they fled from federal law enforcement. Both are illegal aliens from Mexico and will remain in ICE custody pending their removal from the United States.
A third individual swam across the Potomac River and remains at large. We remind illegal aliens that fleeing from ICE is dangerous.
Being in detention is a choice. We encourage all illegal aliens to take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $2,600 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.
Local Story
