The Navasota Fire Department’s ability to help in an active shooter situation just got a lot safer.
At last night’s city council meeting, the fire department presented their new bulletproof vests, which they can wear in shooter situations and, according to fire chief Jason Katkoski, these vests can help them get to treating the wounded much quicker.
“They are going to be able to get onto the scene and help the injures faster,” said Katkoski. “We go into a hot zone, meaning there is an active crime or shooter. This new training…when it is declared a ‘warm zone,’ where the threat has been moved away a bit, then the fire department can go in with one or two officers and start treating the injured quickly.”
Katkoski says too it was budget friendly – and even got some help from a big Grimes County organization.
“I was able to get 14 level 4 armor piercing plates donated to us,” said Katkoski. “It is about $5,000 worth of plates. That will stop a rifle. And then Captain Cooper was able to talk to Friends of Grimes COunty and get a donation of about $1,200, which helped us get the vests custom…red ones with the fire logo, a medic bag for storing and a bag to carry everything.”
Also mentioned was the firefighters beginning training to carry holstered weapons. Training is set to begin over the summer.
