Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics now have access to ballistic kits that can protect against rounds from high-powered rifles, like those used in the ambush on Dallas police officers last month.
The kits are part of a modification to the active-shooter policy for DFR that will ultimately include collaboration with DPD.
Lieutenant Jim McDade, an EMS paramedic, gave News 8 a first look at the equipment Wednesday. The kits arrived within the last week.
Each kit has a bullet-proof vest with an added one-inch thick armor plate over the chest and the back that will protect against high-powered rifle ammunition.
Traditional bullet-proof vests protect against ammunition from handguns.
“It's much more protection than anything we had before," McDade said.
Each kit comes with a tactical helmet currently used by SWAT teams in the Dallas Police Department.
It's gear McDade admits he never thought the department would need when he joined in 2005.