Fresno Fire Department now has ballistic helmets and vests

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno firefighters now have ballistic vests and helmets in their arsenal.

"Acquiring this equipment allows our firefighters to address life-threatening emergencies and remove patients from the hazardous areas without staging until a scene is fully secured," Fresno Fire Chief Billy Alcorn stated.

The fire department says the first hour of a person's injury can be critical to their survival so it's important they get care as fast as possible.

"This gives us the ability to go in and make a difference much quicker," Alcorn said.

The fire department, Fresno Police and city officials presented the gear together on Wednesday.

City councilmember Mike Karbassi says the gear cost around $128,000 and was funded through the city's general budget.

"It gives our firefighters the same level of protection as our police officers as they work side by side with those officers out in the field in some very dangerous situations," Fresno mayor Jerry Dyer said.

Back in June, two firefighters in Idaho were killed and another was injured when a suspect ambushed a crew responding to a fire.

"I never thought that this equipment would be a need on a fire engine," Alcorn stated. "I hope we never have to put these things on, but if we have to, at least we have them."

Each engine is equipped with enough helmets and vests for each person inside, and how they are used is up to the crews.

"Primarily, these were set for those active shooter type incidents but we can wear them to any event where we might experience a hostile type event," Alcorn explained.

Chief Alcorn says the department has been prepping for those situations for years and is glad they finally have the gear to match their training.

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