When most people think of bullet proof vests and helmets, most people think of police, deputies and SWAT officials. Channel 9's Racquel Asa found out Sanford firefighters and EMS personnel will soon wear bullet proof vests and helmets during emergency calls.
“Some of the instances we would wear them is a mass causality incident where it involves an active shooter event or some kind of civil unrest,” Sanford fire Chief Fire Chief Craig Radzak said.
The Sanford Fire department told Eyewitness News that it has been working on the plan with the county for the last year.
Fire and EMS officials typically stand back and wait for victims to be brought to them.
However, in circumstances like the Pulse nightclub shooting in June, fire and EMS workers went into situations alongside law enforcement after the initial threat was eliminated.
“The job of the police officers is to protect the firefighters from any bullets or any perpetrators, and our job is to remove the victims and treat them,” Radzak said.
Just like the Sanford Fire Department, other firefighters in the county, will be required to wear the vests. Sanford will have roughly two dozen vests and helmets at the cost of $600 each. The fire department spent $21,000 from impact fee money for the vests and helmets.
Jamie Bass, whose father is a firefighter for a different county told Eyewitness News that she understands why the protection is needed, but it still makes her nervous knowing other fire departments are moving in that direction.
“I feel like it's still not their job, like, 'Oh, you need to put this on and come with us,’” Bass said.
The Sanford Fire Department told Eyewitness News that it plans to have all the new equipment by January.