Helping to bring Flagler County emergency medical services workers one step closer to having the ability to save lives faster, members of the Palm Coast chapter of Knights of the Inferno Motorcycle Club recently presented Flagler County Fire Chief Don Petito with a check for $2,100.
The funds are part of an effort to purchase bullet-proof vests, helmets and gear that will allow the county's EMS teams to enter a scene alongside law enforcement during an emergency.
Petito said the money will help toward the eventual purchase of four sets of gear, each with a price tag of about $6,000, that he said will give victims of active shooters a greater chance of survival.
"In the past, what we did is we staged a couple of blocks away, so we didn't get involved in the situation until the police department or Sheriff's Office was able to stabilize the situation and then call us in," said Petito. "What they found over the years is that most of the people that were injured didn't receive any treatment for an hour while police tried to stabilize it, so what happened is they bled out on scene, when we could have saved them.
"Now it's a paradigm shift," he said. "We're going in with the cops, and they'll provide the cover for us to get the people and get out. It's no more danger than going into a burning building."
Knights of the Inferno is a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization with chapters around the world that work to build a brotherhood of retired and active firefighters, emergency medical services, office of emergency management, military service members, their families, and select civilians who enjoy motorcycling.
Flagler chapter president Joe Vece, who also helps organize the 9-11 Memorial Ride and Ceremony, says the retired firefighters that are part of his organization have a special place in their hearts for helping first responders.
"Thank God it hasn't happened in Flagler County yet, but on other scenes where people are shot, including first responders, medics can't go in to try and get them and save their lives because they have to wait until it's a safe scene," said Vece.
"This is not only for the first responders but the victims as well," he said. "Being able to get them out sooner is what it's all about. The counties do what they can, but we felt we needed to help them get the protection that they need."
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