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Ohio fire dept. equipped with ballistic vests

Deputy Chief Tom Wagner said the vests are unfortunately necessary due to the high risk of danger firefighters face during calls

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The Fairfield Fire Department is getting equipped with 44 vests, which will be worn when responding to calls for violent incidents such as shootings, stabbings and more.

Photo/Meera Pal

By FireRescue1 Staff

FAIRFIELD, Ohio — A fire department is getting equipped with ballistic vests, according to officials.

Hamilton Journal-News reported that the Fairfield Fire Department is getting equipped with 44 vests, which will be worn when responding to calls for violent incidents such as shootings, stabbings and more.

“We have 44 vests distributed by various sizes to each of our three fire stations,” Deputy Chief Tom Wagner said. “Each morning, every crew member on duty is required to select the appropriate size vest and place it on their assigned vehicle, so they have access throughout their entire shift.”

The Level IIIA-rated vests cost $20,000 and have three flexible plates that can stop small arms fire.

Chief Wagner said it’s unfortunate that the department now needs the vests due to the high risk of danger firefighters face.

“We never know what we are going to respond to, as we have just seen here lately,” Chief Wagner told WCPO. “We had another school shooting, and we want our personnel to be prepared with … the equipment that is going to, if need be, save their life.”

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