In a response to the increased danger of gunfire occurring on calls, the Detroit Fire Department will now require their firefighters and emergency medical technicians to wear bulletproof vests while on certain calls.
"This is in response to the attacks on our medics and our firefighters and the fact that the city is that unsafe," Mike Nevin, president of Detroit's firefighter union, told WXYZ-TV.
Under the policy, firefighters and EMTs will wear body armor—level 2 vests that also are stab resistant—on all medical calls, non-fire calls and calls that might possibly turn dangerous quickly, according to WXYZ. Firefighters will not wear the vests while fighting fires.
Although he appreciates any measures to keep first responders safe, Nevin questions the wisdom of this policy decision and would rather see more police officers.
“What’s next. Tasers and guns? Body Cams?” he told WXYZ.
