The Owensboro Fire Department recently purchased 30 ballistic vests for firefighters who respond to dangerous calls across the area. These vests allow OFD closer access to scenes — such as shootings and stabbings — so life-saving care can be provided to those in need.
These ballistic vests give firefighters extra protection against bullets, though they are only bullet resistant to an extent, said Battalion Chief Colter Tate. Still, that extra layer of protection is much-needed when it comes to active, violent scenes that can and do occur, he said
Tate said that, in the past, OFD usually had to wait until a scene that involved violence was inactive before they could assist. Now, however, OFD can respond to a scene that’s still active, though direct threats to the firefighters will still have to be cleared.
“It might still be active, but there may only be a peripheral threat to us at that point,” he said.
The ballistic vests will remain on all front-line apparatus and will be utilized at the discretion of the lead officer on duty, Tate said.
OFD also purchased an array of triage and medical equipment that will change the game for firefighters responding to calls. While OFD does respond to fires across the city, most of their calls are medical, so to have this additional medical equipment means firefighters can provide medical care with higher levels of efficiency and effectiveness.
Tate said that while the vests will give OFD some flexibility in responding to dangerous scenes, they will continue working with Owensboro Police Department during these events.
“We’ll still wait before we approach scenes that involve [during shootings, stabbings, etc.], and we’ll continue to work in coordination with OPD,” he said.
