VIDEO: The Independence Fire Department is now equipping its crews with bulletproof vests, a piece of gear more commonly associated with law enforcement.
Fire Chief Blake Hayward said he recognized the need for the vests after assisting police officers during two high-risk calls last year. “If you asked me 20 years ago if I would have thought bulletproof vests were going to be needed, I would have laughed at you,” Chief Hayward said. “And now, it’s a day-to-day situation that we can find ourselves in that situation,” he said.
The department purchased 10 vests for $12,000, using a grant from the Buchanan County Health Trust. Unlike standard police vests, the fire department’s vests include built-in pockets for medical supplies.
Hayward said the vests will be stored in fire trucks and used only as needed. “Being equipped with it and having it for when the time comes is our job,” he said.
