MFRD Acquires New Personal Protective Equipment

Mobile, Ala. — Mobile Fire-Rescue Department (MFRD) recently added new personal protective equipment for its members to use when responding to situations in which gunfire may be a threat.

With funding through an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Homeland Security grant, and with the approval of the City Council in May of 2024, MFRD purchased 155 vests and related accessories. The body armor can be worn when responding to situations where shootings have occurred and at other incidents that may require the protection.

All MFRD personnel are trained emergency medical technicians (EMT) at the minimum, with many at the higher paramedic level. Dispatchers send MFRD units to medical calls, including shootings, to provide critical care in situations where seconds count. The vests are not issued to individuals. They are stored with other equipment on each apparatus and are available to use when protection is needed.

All members also took part in an in-house class for Active Shooter Hostile Environment Response (ASHER) training last month. It was a hands-on learning opportunity that included lessons on using the new equipment and medical refreshers for bleeding control, tourniquet use, and other techniques that would be useful for mass casualty incidents.

“When we respond to fires, we’re covered head to toe in personal protective equipment,” Jeff Haller, Public Information Officer, said. “When we respond to incidents with shooting victims, we’re just adding another piece of personal protective equipment to what we wear.”

“We’re not planning on stepping into crossfire, but at the end of the day we want to all go home safely to our families.”