LANCASTER, Ohio — The Lancaster Fire Department is equipping firefighters with ballistic vests to ensure their safety during medical calls.
Lancaster Eagle-Gazette reported that the department recently ordered 12 vests to cover the on-shift paramedic crews.
“About 90 percent of the departments had body armor already,” said Lancaster Fire Lt. K.J. Watts.
Fire Chief Dave Ward said he took notice of an October hostage situation where a man was accused of holding firefighters at gunpoint when they responded to a brush fire. The latest incident leading to the department’s decision was the San Bernardino, Calif. attack.
The vests are expected to arrive in February, with 12 more likely being ordered for the engine crews.
With the purchase of the vests, the department created new policies for when the vests should be used, including stabbings, shootings, overdoses and other calls that require a heightened sense of safety.
“The nature of our jobs, there’s inherent risks anyway,” Chief Ward said. “This just makes it a little bit safer.”