Bulletproof vests purchase by the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department in the wake of a mass shooting downtown last year won't protect the city's firefighters from all types of gunfire.
But they will keep them safe from handguns, like the one David Katz opened fire with inside the Jacksonville Landing during a video game tournament in August. Katz killed two fellow gamers before turning the gun on himself.
Firefighters with Engine Company 1 were training across the street and were the first to respond to the mass shooting scene. They went in despite not having bulletproof vests at the time.
“When you're standing across the street from an active shooter situation and respond like they did, nothing but heroic with no protection,” said Randy Wyse, president of the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters.