When Sedona Fire District Chief Kris Kazian became a firefighter more than two decades ago, he made himself a promise. But some promises are hard to keep. “I remember telling myself that if I had to put on a bulletproof vest, I’m quitting this job,” he said during the Oct. 16, SFD Governing Board meeting.
“In today’s environment I have completely changed my opinion. It’s now necessary and something we need to do to protect our folks.”
To be compliant with a newly-created National Fire Protection Association 3000 Standard for active shooter situations, the board approved the purchase of 10 vests and helmets to be worn during these types of calls. The cost for the 10 was approved at $10,460, with two to be placed at each fire station.
“We are not looking to put ourselves in a hostile situation with an active shooter in what we’d consider the hot zone,” Kazian said. “We’d be in a situation that would be considered a warm zone with the escort of police protection.”
He pointed out that incidents of active shooters are not limited to big cities. In recent years mass school shootings such as Columbine, Colo. [population 24,280], Newtown, Conn. [27,865] and most recently, Parkland, Fla. [32,202] all share similar demographics and populations as the Sedona Fire District area. A staff report states that, based upon the seriousness and dangerous nature of this type of response, SFD has been researching the proper response model for a significant amount of time.
While in the research phase, NFPA 3000 has been released and SFD intends on following the best practices outlined by this new policy.
“The equipment being specified has a very high safety level as it relates to bullet penetration and the types of ballistics that a responding crew may encounter,” the report states. “The design and wearablity for responders are designed to provide flexibility and comfort to allow for those who may be wearing the vest at an incident.”
The report also states that the equipment must be ready and available for deployment when a critical incident occurs. This purchase will be a starting point. If deemed necessary, the department will purchase additional vests in the future. Board member Ty Montgomery questioned why the vests are tan and not a brighter color.
“In terms of the red or a bright yellow color, unfortunately, it almost makes you a target, standing out above everybody else,” acting Battalion Chief Jordan Baker told the board. “We want to separate ourselves from the police. It’s uncomfortable to talk about, as Chief Kazian said, that we’re in the climate we’re in. But it’s the sad truth and reality.”
