Body Armor
“We try to be prepared for everything, and this is just another piece of that,” Battalion Chief Ryan Miller said
The decision was spurred by a “changing landscape” and more calls that increase the possibility of Portland FFs being involved with aggressive patients and bystanders
The Danville Fire Department ordered 57 vests for $30,000 after a couple close calls
After a firefighter was shot in the leg earlier this week, fire officials are re-evaluating their safety measures
The city council gave the fire department the go-ahead Nov. 8 to apply for a federal grant to buy 14 ballistic vests
Officials used a $150,000 grant to purchase 152 ballistic vests for first responders
Citing dangers faced by paramedics at the Pulse nightclub shooting, fire officials have pushed for protective gear, such as armored helmets
Chief Roderick Williams said the added layer of protection is needed following mass shootings nationwide
The mayor and fire chief said they don’t want to give members a false sense of security
Ballistic protective equipment for active shooter response is eligible for Assistance to Firefighters grant funding
The vests weigh around 17 pounds, and are said to be able to stop bullets from a high-powered rifle
The department is pursuing a $3K grant that would buy 15 vests
The chief said equipping firefighters with vest is “a sign of the times”
One police officer remarked that members of the dept. insisted on reaching wounded officers during live gunfire
Each ballistic kit includes bullet-proof vests and tactical helmets
The department currently uses 200 expired police vests and plan to purchase new ones
Chattanooga Fire Department requested $133,000 in federal funds for equipment and training
The new gear will be required for all Madison Fire Department personnel responding with police to provide medical help on calls posing a higher risk for gunfire
Given the street-level dangers and improved technology, ballistic vests should be an option to all firefighters and medics
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Fire chief said protective gear will allow first responders to treat patients more quickly in an active shooter situation
The ballistic vests and helmets are to be worn in active shooter situations
They were already planning on the purchase but the shooting death of Lt. Jason Adams accelerated the purchase
After recent mass shooting events, the police and fire chiefs saw the need for fire and EMS personnel to enter the hot zone
The knife did not penetrate the paramedic’s vest that had a metal trauma plate in it
Recent stabbings of two EMTs in Detroit and two firefighters in San Diego have raised concerns about how to keep responders safe on scene
