Apparent metal thieves putting people in danger: Vancouver Fire

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – There have been more than 60 thefts of important fire suppression equipment connections in Vancouver, and fire crews say the people responsible are putting others at risk.

Apparent metal thieves have been taking stand-pipe connections that firefighters use to attach their hoses to buildings to suppress fires on upper floors, police say.

“We believe that there may be additional thefts that have not yet been noticed and reported to police,” VPD Sergeant Aaron Roed says. “We encourage anyone who observes a missing connector to call us so we can investigate.”

Building managers primarily in downtown Vancouver and on the Downtown Eastside are being urged to check their connections.

“At this point we don’t have any suspects. We believe that there may be more thefts and buildings just aren’t recognizing that they have been stolen at this time,” Roed says

Vancouver Police investigate theft of metal equipment used by VFRS https://t.co/xhAByDYRrb

— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) September 5, 2019

It’s believed the thieves are targeting this specific connection because of its metal component. First responders say firefighters can’t properly suppress fires in high-rises without this important piece of equipment, “which presents a huge public safety concern for both police and Vancouver Fire Rescue Services.”

“Vancouver Fire Rescue Services is deeply concerned about the theft of metal fire department connections (FDC’s) from buildings. The illegal removal of these puts occupants of the building at high risk,” says Vancouver Fire Captain Jonathan Gormick.

Sgt. Roed says he’s hopeful someone may have seen something or there may be video from a nearby security camera.

“These metal components are quite heavy, they’re substantial and to get them off of a building you would need some sort of large tool, a cutter or a large grinder of some sort, to remove them from a building.”

Anyone who notices a missing metal fitting is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department. If you have any information about these thefts, you’re asked to get in touch with the VPD’s Property Crime Unite at 604.717.0610 or Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.8477.

-With files from Mike Lloyd and Sonia Aslam