What to Know
- The fire chief is looking at having his firefighters wear ballistic vests to keep them safe.
- The 2,400 vests needed for the career and volunteer firefighters cost between $400 and $500 each.
- Other fire departments across the country are already using the ballistic vests to protect their firefighters.
Firefighters in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have been hit by violence while out trying to battle fires recently, including the shooting death of a firefighter last month.
The fire chief is looking at having his firefighters wear ballistic vests to keep them safe. There are details to be worked out, but the need for protection has never been more apparent in the past few weeks.
Two firefighters were shot, killing one, after they forced their way into a home to help a man they believed was in medical distress. Chief Marc Bashoor tried on a shirt-type ballistic vest weighing up to four pounds and said firefighters could begin wearing the protective layer between now and October.
Bashoor said the 2,400 vests needed for the career and volunteer firefighters cost between $400 and $500 each. But there are several questions that need to be answered first.
“Number one, does our member feel safer doing their job with that vest on?” said fire spokesman Mark Brady. “And number two, will it provide them that protection if, in the event, it should happen again? We owe it to our membership, our volunteer and career, to look into the possibility of purchasing and issuing ballistic vests.”
The chief said he will look into what is working and get comments from within the department before moving forward. Other fire departments across the country are already using the ballistic vests to protect their firefighters.
