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Fire Crews Will Receive Body Armor Save Email Print
Posted: 10:49 PM Jan 24, 2008
Last Updated: 7:15 PM Jan 25, 2008
Reporter: David Nancarrow
Email Address: dnancarrow@kktv11news.com

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A safety device Wescott fire officials say is long over-due is coming to the district as a direct result of the shootings at New Life Church. The firefighters will armor-up for some emergency calls in the future.

Five men with Wescott Fire received medals of valor for rushing into chaos at New Life Church during a gunman's siege nearly as unprotected as the victims they had to help.

"It's just not something we wear," said Wescott Fire Chief Jeffrey Edwards.

Standard gear firefighters put on to answer a call include their heavy duty clothing, but Edwards will soon add six sets of body armor to the list.

"We need to do everything to protect our firefighters in the line of work," he said.

The attack at New Life Church highlights a threat to fire fighters.

Normally the first to a scene to provide medical assistance, fire crews and EMT's are vulnerable in hostile situations that can happen anywhere.

"It could be the school right across from us," Edwards said.

Along with using the tactical vests, Wescott fire fighters will train with local SWAT teams to co-ordinate rescues from an active crime scene.

"It's my understanding they're pretty excited about doing this training and looking forward to having that extra protection," said Edwards.

Edwards said his fighters are used to carrying a lot of gear. The new stuff might take some getting used to, but as danger continues to go beyond fighting fires, it will soon be as natural as putting on the uniform itself.

There will be enough vests to cover a crew of three fire fighters and two EMT's with one spare.

Wescott is the latest in line to equip with body armor. In some emergency situations, Colorado Springs’ fire fighters also wear body armor. Tri-Lakes, in Monument has been using it for about eight months.

Wescott's gear will arrive sometime in mid-February.

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Posted by: Fox Location: Hanover on Feb 7, 2008 at 11:38 PM
I am a firefighter/EMT and have been wearing body armor for some time, unfortunately I had to purchase it on my own. I wear it on most every call (except when making entry into a fire) if something happens our nearest LE help can be at least 45 mins out. It's just another piece of equipment I use.

Posted by: Chris Location: Westminster on Jan 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Sounds normal lots of Body Armor Companies make vests fro EMT and for medics and firefighters in bright Orange or Yellow and EMTs are white with red cross.

Posted by: Phil Location: c s on Jan 25, 2008 at 10:49 AM
For firepeople?? Do they get guns too? And last but not least, in Falcon??

Posted by: William Gordon White Location: co.spgs on Jan 25, 2008 at 06:51 AM
I think your piece on body armor is very important and the public should knoww what kind of situtations our emt's and fire fighters get into. Good job this story is important.

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