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Grant brings body armor, night vision goggles to Wis. tactical paramedics

Wausau Fire Department paramedics will now be outfitted to work alongside law enforcement during dangerous incidents

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Wausau Fire Department/Facebook

WAUSAU, Wis. — The Wausau Fire Department has outfitted its Tactical Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) paramedics with equipment made possible through a grant and generous community contributions.

In April 2024, the department applied for funding through the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to acquire specialized gear for its team of eight TEMS paramedics, WSAW reported.

“We’re thrilled to finally share something we’ve been eagerly anticipating,” the department said in a social media post. “Thanks to a generous grant and additional community donations, we are proud to announce that all eight TEMS team members are now fully equipped with essential state of the art gear. This includes winter clothing, armor plate carriers, tactical footwear, tactical clothing, and even night vision units.”

The tactical equipment has proven its value in several incidents, highlighting its critical role in the department’s operations.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.