News report: DC firefighter who protects President investigated for threatening call to White House
DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG
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The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a D.C. firefighter who made a disturbing call to the White House Tuesday night.
He called claiming he would air some personal grievances on a fire truck’s public address system the next time he was on the South Lawn for a helicopter landing or takeoff.
The firefighter works at the firehouse in Southwest D.C. where the foam units used to protect Marine One are stationed.
Just after 7 p.m., two Secret Service agents paid a visit to the firehouse on 6th Street, SW, and asked numerous questions about the firefighter who made the call.
The station houses two foam units that head to the White House along with an engine, a medic unit and other personnel whenever the president leaves the South Lawn in Marine One or comes in for a landing.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation say the firefighter called the White House comment line and complained investigators in Anne Arundel County were not looking into death threats he was receiving.
He then said, “What do I have to do? Air those threats over the truck’s loudspeaker when I come onto the White House grounds?”
The call has now invited further scrutiny, according to multiple sources who say the Secret Service asked for and received all of the personal information of the firefighters assigned to the presidential departure Wednesday morning. It was a request that was highly unusual and not part of the normal protocol.
FOX 5 contacted the firefighter accused of making the call. He admits making it and says it was made in jest and out of frustration.
He says he has been getting death threats and no one is listening to him.
The veteran firefighter has been placed on desk duty until further notice.
A spokesperson for the D.C. fire department declined to comment and steered all calls to the Secret Service.
The Secret Service simply said investigators are aware of the call and are looking into it.
