TRENTON, N.J. — Trenton firefighters will begin wearing ballistic vests to protect themselves on the job when they double as paramedics responding to medical emergencies.
NJ.com reported that the vests were approved as part of the fire union’s new contract. The Trenton (N.J.) Emergency Medical Services has been wearing vests for years, but firefighters have been without them.
“It’s a benefit for the residents, but we also need to be protected,” Union President Wayne Wolk said. “You never know the situation you’re going into. It’s better to be safe than run into a problem, so it’s an extra level of protection for our men and women when they’re going into unknown calls.”
The city has applied for funding from FEMA’s AFG program. If they don’t get the grant, the money will have to be available from the city’s budget.