AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s firefighters and EMS crews will soon be fully outfitted with ballistic vests, closing a gap that left only about half of the rigs stocked with body armor.
New funding means every frontline unit will carry the upgraded protection within the next few weeks, CBS Austin reported.
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The Central Texas Public Safety Commission approved funding to equip every Austin firefighter and paramedic with ballistic vests for gun-violence calls.
“The targeted violence against not just police officers, but firefighters and paramedics is increasing,” Austin/Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said. “It is critical for us to make sure we have the tools for our medics to be safe each and every day.”
“It is invaluable, for sure,” Austin firefighter Danny Vega said. “We are pretty used to wearing gear, heavy gear. So, it is just another piece of equipment we have to wear. We do not mind it; we actually appreciate it.”
Vega’s Engine 1 crew long ranked high-priority for vests, so he is used to the extra 15 pounds and knows every rig needs the same protection.
Austin crews wore ballistic vests for a combined 14,000 hours in 2024, EMS officials report.
