Tennessee Risk Management Trust, a member-owned insurance trust which serves public entities in Tennessee, has awarded an $11,108 grant to the Bedford County Fire Department for tactical vests and plates.
The fire department’s full-time personnel function as emergency first responders for a variety of types of calls, including medical emergencies. First responders are specially trained to provide aid and assistance while waiting for emergency medical crews to arrive. A significant percentage of the fire department’s call volume is made up of this type of first response, according to the grant application. These emergency calls can put firefighters in danger from “combative individuals,” just as law enforcement officers would be. The six vests and 12 tactical plates will be shared by the department’s 20 employees, with the idea to put two vests in each of three fire trucks.
Photo: From left are firefighters Eddie Walker and David Andrews; Bedford County Human Resources Director Shanna Boyette, who chairs the county’s safety committee; County Mayor Chad Graham; Thomas; Bilyeu; and firefighters Kerry Burshears and Josh Long.