An increase in threats and violence has left Mission Fire Rescue Service (MFRS) searching for an extra layer of protection.

The City of Mission council unanimously approved $15,000 to purchase body armour for firefighters at Monday91裸聊视频檚 (Nov. 6) meeting. MFRS Chief Mark Goddard outlined the need for body armour in a report.

91裸聊视频淪tatistically the homeless population by and large is not a threat to responders. When considering the sheer number of interactions to incidents every year, assaults and violence are still rare but becoming more common, and Mission is not immune to this threat,91裸聊视频� the report reads.

The addition of overdose calls to firefighters91裸聊视频� duties also impacts the risk. According to the report, naloxone can quickly bring patients from a state of overdose 91裸聊视频� unconscious and calm 91裸聊视频� to an agitated state. Goddard says the situation can leave firefighters with no time to retreat if a patient becomes violent.

In the past two years, MFRS crews have been involved in several violent altercations, including an attempted axe attack on a district chief attending a burning complaint and the recent fires on Gunn Road that left one man dead.

91裸聊视频淚n the outreach capacity 91裸聊视频� I91裸聊视频檓 not as convinced that body armour would do that much and may in fact create a sense of security that may not always be there. It91裸聊视频檚 procedural more than anything 91裸聊视频� but when it came to the story of the fire on Gunn Road, there is no question. My very first inclination hearing about that was I hope our members have body armour. There is no other way that could have safely been dealt with and the idea that they had to stand by and watch that unfold was tragic.91裸聊视频�

MFRS staff shared personal experiences from the past few years in the report that advocated for the use of body armour.

91裸聊视频淭his job is not the same as it was just a few years ago,91裸聊视频� one firefighter wrote. 91裸聊视频淭he game has changed out there and taken a dark turn and everyone needs to realize this. The safety of first responders is in jeopardy and it91裸聊视频檚 time to reassess how we can protect the ones that protect our community every day.91裸聊视频�

Vancouver Fire Rescue has already purchased protective vests while Burnaby, Merritt, Calgary and Lethbridge are considering similar protection.

Staff will also report back to council concerning policy and training related to the use of body armour. The purchase of body armour will be funded through the Public Safety Reserve Fund.

Goddard says it91裸聊视频檚 highly unlikely that firefighters will wear their protective ensemble with body armour. Body armour would be deemed appropriate for a higher-risk medical call.

During Monday91裸聊视频檚 meeting, council also unanimously approved an amendment to the city91裸聊视频檚 capital plan for $93,300 towards the Exhaust Ventilation System at Fire Hall #1.