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Mass. firefighters now equipped with bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  ecpd402 
#1 ·
Mass. firefighters now equipped with bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets
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Updated: 2:35 PM EDT Jun 23, 2017


Foxboro Fire/Twitter SOURCE: Foxboro Fire/Twitter
Mass. firefighters now equipped with bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets
|
Updated: 2:35 PM EDT Jun 23, 2017

FOXBORO, Mass. -
Firefighters in Massachusetts will have another piece of equipment on them when responding to tense situations.

The Sun Chronicle reports that amid the growing number of emergency workers becoming targets of violence, Foxboro firefighters are being equipped with bulletproof helmets and Kevlar helmets.

Deputy fire Chief Mike Kelleher said the department obtained the helmets and vests through a state grant to equip a full shift of seven firefighters and paramedics. The grant also provided firefighters with control packs to be used if someone is suffering from severe trauma, such as a gunshot wound.

"We're excited about it," Kelleher told the Sun Chronicle. "This is something we wanted to be out in front on."

The vests are emblazoned with "MEDIC" to identify those wearing them.

"A lot of this is driven by the need to get to people quickly if they are suffering severe bleeding," Kelleher told the Sun Chronicle.

Chelsea firefighters had to wear bulletproof vests as they battled a fire at the scene of a standoff with police back in May. The firefighters had to keep a safe distance from the building, using ladder trucks to spray water, until they had to no choice but to move closer with SWAT teams.

Chelsea Fire officials said the police department secured $20,000 for the fire department to purchase 24 bulletproof vests, and they are waiting on an order of ballistic helmets.

Boston firefighters are not equipped with bulletproof vests.

Kelleher said training with the equipment will begin in a week for Foxboro firefighters, and that the department is working on protocols for use of the helmets and vests.

Mass. firefighters now equipped with bulletproof vests, Kevlar helmets
 
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#9 ·
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that they are nice and safe because they're loved, if that were the case, they would have NEVER needed police escorts nor would they now need the vests, I pretty much make clear that they are not AS likely to be attacked as cops.

Firefighters have always been targets. In the 70s they were often pelted with bricks when responding to fire alarms in NYC. In many neighborhoods in various urban environments, it's ALWAYS been a good idea to have a police escort. I'm not in anyway misinformed. I know reality and reality is, they are not AS MUCH targets as cops but I'm also not in the dark or naïve to believe they don't get attacked.

Please reread what I posted and you copied.
 
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