WOODSTOCK, Conn. — Two Woodstock EMTs have begun wearing protective vests on calls after purchasing the equipment themselves.
Matthew Grauer, an EMT for six years, recently bought a vest designed to protect against stabbings and smaller-caliber bullets, WFSB reported.
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“Wearing it is just an extra layer of protection,” Grauer said. “If the patient is combative, if they have a violent history, that’s not always known by us going into it. Sometimes, no matter how much we try and de-escalate, the situation is just beyond our control.”
Christopher Rossi, administrator of Woodstock EMS, said the agency has 22 EMTs on staff and that while it would be ideal for each of them to have a protective vest, the department’s budget cannot cover the cost.
Grauer said he spent about $500 of his own money to purchase the vest.
Rossi said the situation is unfortunate but not unexpected. Grauer said he hopes all EMTs will eventually have access to protective vests and that wearing one gives him added peace of mind on calls.
Attacks on first responders in Connecticut have been on the rise, according to WFSB. In 2025, there were 189 arrests connected to assaults on first responders, an increase from 155 in 2021.
Have you had to pay out of pocket for your own protective gear? What have you bought and has it proven its worth?
EMS1 readers respond
“Yes, I have gone out of pocket on a number of things to do my job.”
