Once chosen, the company will add level IIIA ballistic protection to the ambulance's front, sides and back. Level IIIA armor is typically used to protect against handgun-caliber bullets.

Gainesville first responders were involved in a dangerous active shooter situation a few years ago and want to be better prepared in the future, Gainesville Fire Rescue District Chief Shawn Hillhouse said.

"We've embedded medics with [a] law enforcement team when there was gun fire being exchanged between law enforcement and [a] suspect," he said. "We had the need to move injured people from a warm zone back to a cold zone for waiting EMS."