BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) -- It’s been a tough week for the staff at Firehouse Ministries after Birmingham Police arrested a man for allegedly attacking a staff member outside late Sunday afternoon.
The former client was denied access to the building on Sunday after previously being placed on a banned list.
“We’re all hurting, we’re all, you know just worried and are praying for our staff person,” said executive director Nicole Boomhover.
According to court documents, 40-year-old Clarence Cedric Fuller, of Birmingham, has been charged with attempted murder after assaulting the victim at 4:44 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20.
According to Firehouse Ministries, the victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Friday morning, Boomhover explained the shelter's efforts to increase safety in the wake of the reported attack.
“This is a panic button,” Boomhover explained. “You wear it around your neck. Everyone that is on staff that is working at the moment will check one of these out when they come in.”
While panic buttons which alert the Birmingham Police Department are not new, Boomhover says every staff member will now be wearing one while on duty.
An enhanced buddy system is also in place during rounds.
“They have to have four things on those rounds,” Boomhover said. “That is a buddy, their cell phone, a walkie talkie and a panic button.”
Security will also be on site for an additional four hours.
“We’re looking at 24 hours,” Boomhover said. “At this point, we have 16 hours of security, and that is during the heightened times that check-in is and lunchtime.”
On Friday, those entering the facility went through a pat-down before being admitted in for lunch service.
The updates to safety protocol come in the wake of Sunday’s attack on the staff member who was outdoors trying to secure the outdoor pavilion at the end of the day.
“It was absolutely an isolated incident, and it was a targeted incident due to the client not being able to access services,” Boomhover said.
Court documents show Clarence Cedric Fuller is charged with attempted murder after assaulting the victim by hitting him with a slab of quartz or other substance and/or kicking him.
“I’m doing everything in my power to make sure that this does not happen again ever,” Boomhover said.
All employees will also receive additional training in personal safety and de-escalation techniques.
She said this is the first time anything like this has happened in their 40-year history.
Firehouse Ministries is the only low barrier men’s shelter in the Birmingham area. They accept guests who are dealing with mental health issues and sobriety issues.