VIDEO: A group of Kansas firefighters is doing more than just putting out fires.
“You always worry about those situations where you need medical attention,” says Chief Jeffrey Hooper, Hutchinson Police Department. “It is difficult then to get medics in the hot zone.”
Beating the heat is something firefighters are used to.
“Feels like what I wore last week,” says Ron Kauffman, Hutchinson firefighter.
Now, try adding another 30 to 40 pounds.
“Whenever the ERT, Emergency Response Team, gets activated, that is when we would get activated and go along with them,” says Kauffman.
Instead of just gearing up to battle blazes, six Hutchinson firefighters are signing up to be on the front line in body armor. “I have always wanted to do something more for the fire department and citizens, and this came around and sounded like a pretty cool opportunity,” Kauffman says.