Sedalia Firefighters Now Have Bulletproof Vests & Helmets to Wear
Sedalia Firefighters now have bullet-proof vests & helmets to wear when needed on certain calls, thanks to HeroFundUSA.
Darrell Smith, CEO and co-founder of the organization, presented a check to Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin at the start of Monday night's City Council meeting.
“We reached out to HeroFundUSA for a grant that paid for 50 percent of our ballistic vests and helmets,” Chief Irwin told Council members.
Smith noted that his organization is a small non-profit based in Blue Springs, Mo., and focuses on an “increased envelope of protection for first responders” so that firefighters can go home to their loved ones after their shift is over.
“Chief Irwin approached us earlier this year about funding for something we thought we'd never need to do for firefighters,” Smith said.
A check for $7,867.50, which will cover the cost of 15 ballistic vests and helmets, was presented to Irwin by Smith.
“I wish we didn't live in that world, but we do today, and so we are blessed by God to be able to present a check tonight to the City of Sedalia and their fire department,” Smith said.
According to Chief Irwin, “The equipment is already here. We are waiting on additional items for them but they should be in service in a couple weeks. We plan to have a total of 15 sets. (Vest and helmet)
“We do not plan on outfitting the entire department, these will be placed on all in-service apparatus and used by those crews if the event they are needed.
Total cost for the 15 sets was 15,870.50. HeroFundUSA paid 50 percent of that cost.
“We intend to use this equipment in the event of an active shooter, suicidal subject with a weapon, as well we are looking at wearing them while working large events in the future,” the fire chief said.
“They add about 30 pounds of additional weight to the firefighter,” he noted.
HeroFundUSA describes itself as the nation’s premier private funding source of first responder safety equipment and resources. Call (833) 549-2882 for more information.
In the top photo: Sedalia Fire Chief Matt Irwin (left) and Sedalia Mayor Pro Tem Tina Boggess (right) accept a check for $7,867.50 from Darrell Smith, CEO of HeroFundUSA, on Monday night.
More From KIX 105.7
