The Dundee Fire Department may be small, limited in budget and consist exclusively of volunteers and part-time employees, but that hasn't stopped it from being a forward-thinking agency. "Our fire chief and the fire department are always on the cutting edge of technology," Town Manager Deena Ware said.
The latest purchase for the department was nine protective vests. Eight are level 2 vests worn daily by law enforcement. The other is a ballistic vest, which would be used for something like an active shooter situation. Chief Joe Carbone said firefighters nationally are receiving more training on how to operate during more serious calls.
Carbone, who also serves as deputy chief in Winter Haven, said Dundee was the only fire agency in Polk County that he knew of with protective vests for their firefighters. The town was able to piggyback off a state contract and get them for less than $500 per vest. Otherwise, they would have been close to $900 apiece, Carbone said.