News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
A Crossville firefighter and advanced EMT petitioning the state to increase the punishment for anyone who assaults a first responder.
Jade Callister said her petition would make assaulting a first responder a class E felony instead of a class A misdemeanor. Callister said first responders should have this protection because they do not have the forms of protection as law enforcement.
“We wouldn’t change the job,” Callister said. “We love it and we wouldn’t ask anything else but just showing our support for those that are willing to go in those unknown and dangerous situations. And hopefully prevention of future incidents occurring that may have very dire consequences.”
Callister said she was inspired to make the petition after she was hit in the face and knocked to the ground during a medical call last month.
“This individual actually got probation with approximately three days in jail,” Callister said. “So this is what inclined me to pursue the petition and get it amended to cover all first responders as well as law enforcement.”
Callister said the state’s Back the Blue Act already made assaulting law enforcement officers a felony so this amendment would simply add first responders to that category.
Callister said she requested support for the petition from Crossville City Council and City Attorney Randall York is proposing either an amendment or new bill to facilitate the change. The White County Commission also voted to officially support the petition because Callister is a volunteer lieutenant advanced EMT with the Central View Fire Department.
“Aside from that I have petitioned on my own accord from several different departments,” Callister said. “I’m actually planning on sending those out today locally here as well as just the community support. I believe I have around five or six petitions and it’s totaling around the one seventy-five mark.”
Callister said her main goal with the petition is to promote accountability, retention of first responders, and support for those working in the field.
“Luckily I was able to come out of it with a little bit of a sore jaw, but that may not be next time,” Callister said. “Although we can’t ensure safety, we can ensure accountability.”
