Wearing ballistic vests and helmets, they head into the building where a gunman could be lurking around the corner.
No, they aren’t police officers – they’re firefighters.
Brockton firefighters are getting a little boost in their paychecks to go into the line of fire.
The Brockton City Council Finance Committee recently voted to support an appropriation of $80,000 to fund a 1 percent increase in the hazard pay that’s part of the employee compensation for city firefighters. This comes as a result of firefighters being trained to enter active shooter scenes alongside Brockton police, instead of after the building is cleared, with the goal of reaching wounded victims more quickly. They are equipped with newly purchased ballistic helmets and bullet-resistant vests, with a big, bold “FIRE” label on the chest.