Prism Insight
CANON, Ohio — Canon, Ohio, is buying bulletproof vests for its 180 firefighters. According to the Canton Repository, the request was made by the Canton Professional Firefighters Association Local 249 after the city’s firefighters responded to ascene where shots were fired but no one was injured.
“We go to a lot of violent incidents, and a lot of people carryguns today,” Division Chief John Whitlatch told the paper. “And we look like cops, and when there’s a violent incident, the cops are going and we’re going, and we’re all in the mix together -- you never know what you’ll encounter.”
Specifically, the new policy is in response to a number ofincidents involving firefighters and gunfire at a scene. This year, a St. Louis firefighter and Chicago fire investigator were shot while on duty.
The vests will cost approximately $100,000 and arrive in about nine to 10 weeks. They will be custom-fitted for each firefighter and be standard gear just like coats, helmets and boots. Currently, bulletproof vests are standard gear for paramedics in Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati, as well as in a few rural departments.
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