Body Armor Guidelines PDF

BODY ARMOR PURPOSE These Standard Operating Guidelines have been developed to assist members in the proper wear of body armor (ballistic vests and helmets). GENERAL GUIDELINES Ballistic vests and helmets will be worn on all incidents meeting the criteria of an Active Shooter Incident as defined in t...

BODY ARMOR PURPOSE These Standard Operating Guidelines have been developed to assist members in the proper wear of body armor (ballistic vests and helmets). GENERAL GUIDELINES Ballistic vests and helmets will be worn on all incidents meeting the criteria of an Active Shooter Incident as defined in the Emergency Operations Manual. The wearing of Vests (Body Armor) should be considered during times or events that pose a greater than normal risk of assault or gunfire to our members. Examples of these extraordinary events are: 1. Active civil unrest or disturbance (in or near unrest area) 2. Potential for Civil unrest (i.e.: certain impending court rulings, overseas unrest, etc.) 3. Potential for celebratory gunfire (i.e.: New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, death of or change in power of certain foreign heads of state, triumph of a local sports team, etc.) Personnel who have department issued body armor are permitted to wear it on the following calls keeping in mind that Vests are usually NOT necessary on a routine daily basis: 1. Assaults 2. Stabbings or Gunshot wounds 3. Civil Disturbances 4. At the Officer’s discretion (i.e.: celebratory gunfire) Personnel wearing department issued body armor shall wear it over their clothing for hygienic reasons. Members are reminded that part of the protection against attack or serious injury includes the concealment of the body armor so that the attacker will not purposely aim at or attack an unprotected part of the body. Caution shall continue to be used when responding and working at the above incidents, in order to minimize the potential for injury to department personnel. 1/29/16 EOM/Article 3/Section 23 Page 1 BODY ARMOR STORAGE Exact location for storage of the vests and helmets is at the discretion of the station commander. Vests shall be stored on Fire-Rescue Department apparatus, inside the Department-issued nylon bags in a secure place, flat and in a cool dry environment. Vest shall not be stored in the same compartment as fuel, oil, or gas powered tools: INVENTORY Every Monday, the Shift Commander on duty will conduct an inventory of station issued body armor and enter it in the Station Log. Any discrepancies should be reported to the Assistant Fire Chief of the Emergency Response Division (ERD) by Communication Expediter through the appropriate Chain of Command. On the first of every month the contents of the active shooter EMS pouch will be inventoried and the expiration dates of items checked. The EMS pouch contains the items below.        2 CAT tourniquets 2 Hemostatic gauze dressings 2 Chest Decompression Needles 2 Hyfin chest seals 1 Non Sterile Kling 1 80mm OPA 1 26 Fr NPA 1/29/16 EOM/Article 3/Section 23 Page 2