Paramedics and EMT workers help to save lives, but what about their own?

“Situations can arise at any time,” says Ira Hart.  The West End Ambulance director tells us unfortunately those situations can be dangerous for his employees, “In Harrisburg there was a crew that responded on a call, just a medical call, and somebody else in the residence attacked the EMS worker.”

That worker was saved due to the body armor he was wearing, and that’s why the ambulance service in Johnstown wants to purchase the same type of vests.  They haven’t had any life-threatening type of situations yet, but they say they would rather be proactive not reactive.

“We have about six people that have already bought their own vest.  The board has approved us to buy two vests per ambulance.”

According to Hart, the plate vests will be bullet proof, “Our crews respond to many violent calls.  We want to make sure they’re protected.”

Hart says a majority of folks at the ambulance service would like to purchase one of their own, “They work at many other different services, so being able to purchase a vest through here, they can then take that to the other services where they work.”

Each vest weighs around 20 pounds, but Hart says he believes his paramedics will get used to the vest.  It’s an addition to their uniform and can easily fit under a hoodie.

The service says they are working to assist employees in covering the cost, which is $250, so folks don’t have to come up with money up front, but it can be difficult due to funding issues.  In the end though, Hart says to do their job and keep you safe they must keep their employees safe.