Shots were fired at paramedics responding to the scene of a fire in Walnut Hills, authorities said. Firefighters have been advised to wear bulletproof vests while responding to violent calls.
They want to focus on saving lives without having to worry about saving their own.Fire officials said a gunman in a passing car fired three to five shots at paramedics and an ambulance during a run on July 16 at Kenton and McGregor streets.
“It's truly one of the most cowardly acts I can think of,” Cincinnati Fire Union Local 48 President Matt Alter said. “He heard and felt these bullets whiz by him. As they're completing, he was able to jump into the ambulance right away; his partner was already in there attending to the patient.”
No one was injured in this incident. However, fire officials are now fighting for first responders to have bulletproof vests for any violent situation.
Right now, the department uses about 200 expired vests from Cincinnati police.
The department is trying to get 840 new fitted vests for all firefighters.
The price tag is nearly $1,000 each.