Apparently, D.C. fire and rescue personnel are security risks, so the Secret Service has taken over fire and rescue operations at the White House and the Naval Observatory, which is home to the vice president’s residence. Though the Secret Service won’t confirm or deny the jurisdictional shift, sources tell the W.Times that one concern is that D.C. fire personnel haven’t been required to undergo security background checks since 1992. From the W.Times:

The new unit is made up of uniformed Secret Service officers who have been cross-trained at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute in College Park as firefighters, emergency medical technicians, hazardous-materials technicians and rescue technicians. The unit recently became operational, although it could not be determined how long ago

D.C. fire squads have been traditionally on call at the White House when Marine One lands on the South Lawn. Engine 16 and Truck 3, based out of a 13th Street NW firehouse has been designated as the first unit to respond to any emergency at the White House. It’s been that way for a century.