Birmingham Alabama firefighters use ballistic vests and helmets on the job
BIRMINGHAM, AL April 29 2019 We know firefighters risk their lives every day to keep the community safe and sometimes that can come at a price because of violence they may face on the job. An extra layer of protection is now protecting Birmingham firefighters when they respond to dangerous calls.
“As we become a more violent society, we have to take precautions to protect our personnel,” Battalion Chief Sebastian Carrillo said.
Firefighters are now equipped with these 40-pound ballistic vests and helmets. It’s a growing trend around the country.
“We know as firefighters we come to work and we accept the inherit risks that are associated with our job. However, it’s the responsibility of the administration to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make the job as safe as possible,” Carrillo said.
Chief Carillo says in the event of a violent situation, firefighters will go to a staging area put on the ballistic vests then enter the scene with police protection. We’re told firefighters put on the vests during the UAB Highlands shooting last year.
Because violence against first responders is on the rise, Carrillo tells us the U.S. Fire Administration is now keeping a track of it. Just last year, Captain David Rosa was shot and killed after responding to a fire at a retirement home in Long Beach, California.
“We train and train to respond to hazardous material calls. We train and identify medical emergencies, but you cannot train for the unseen or the unknown so that’s why it’s important these departments are purchasing this equipment just to add a layer of protection,” Carrillo said.
Carrillo says each battalion has a handful of vests and helmets for firefighters. EMT’s also carry them as well.
WBRC
