City Agrees To Equip Firefighters With Ballistic Vests

HOUSTON, TX — Citing an increase in the number of violent incidents against first responders in Houston and other U.S. cities, Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña is asking that firefighters be equipped with ballistic vests.

Peña said in a press release on Wednesday, that firefighters are usually the first on the scene of a violent incident, such as a shooting or stabbing, and that traditional firefighting bunker gear won't stop a bullet or a knife.

That’s why Peña has pushed for the purchase of ballistic vests for HFD, and thanks to Mayor Sylvester Turner, City Council, and federal grant funding, the process has begun to move forward.

Officials said the cost to outfit firefighters citywide with tactical vests will exceed $1 million.

"The threat of falling through a collapsing roof, working in busy traffic lanes, or oxygen deficient atmospheres is not the only on-the-job danger today’s firefighters have to worry about. We must now also consider protection against violent acts," Peña said.

The National Fire Protection Association now has standards that discuss Personal Protective Equipment for active-shooter and civil-unrest situations, Peña added.

"It is a new reality that is contrary to how we’ve always viewed this honorable profession, but protective clothing must be compatible with the environment we work in," he said. "This is the next progression of tools of the trade. Vest-wearing as PPE will come to be an industry best-practice,and this is something our Firefighters deserve for us to be out in front on."

The bid process is now ongoing. Once approved and procured, firefighters will wear the vests during calls that clearly have the potential for danger, such as domestic violence incidents, shootings, stabbings, etc. The vests will be paid partly through a federal grant and general fund allocations approved by Turner and the city council.

"I appreciate the taxpayers, Mayor Turner and City Council for allocating funding for this purchase. Making sure our firefighters are protected in dangerous situations is of the upmost importance," Peña said.

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