Central Coast fire departments using bulletproof vests

More Central Coast fire agencies are taking steps to protect personnel during potentially deadly situations.

The Seaside Fire Department has been carrying bulletproof vests for a couple of years now in response to the violence across the country.

“My understanding is that yes, we were the first agency in Monterey County to purchase the bulletproof vests, the ballistic style vests,” said Seaside Battalion Chief Paul Blaha.

Blaha told News Channel 5 they bought the vests after two incidents in 2012. Four New York State firefighters were ambushed responding to call then around the same time there was a shooting in Greenfield.

“The crowd was gathering, and they were mentioning about going to get guns, come back and shooting firefighters and police,” said Blaha.

Firefighters now wear the vests when they respond to shootings, stabbings and physical assault cases.

With the passage of Assembly Bill 1598, law enforcement and first responders must also now work together when responding to active shooter situations.

“There might be an incident or a time during that incident when we might have to go into the hot zone with the police officer to help retrieve some of the patients, some of the shooting victims. You know, they’re wearing ballistic vests, helmets, gear and if you just look at me in my regular uniform going with them, who do you think the guy is going to shoot? So with us in these vests, it provides extra protection for us,” said Blaha.

Monterey County is planning a large scale active shooter training exercise in the spring involving law enforcement, fire and ambulance.