Hickory firefighters will have new equipment to protect them during an active shooter situation or potentially violent situations. Hickory firefighters have been gifted Mass Casualty Kits, Rapid Response Kits, and Ballistic Vests with helmets. With donations from Dr. B. Dale Watts, Linda Watts, and the Sara S. Long Charitable Foundation for $22,705, the department was able to purchase these supplies, which will be placed in battalion chief vehicles and at our airport location.
Fire Chief Matt Hutchinson stated, “We are always focused on the safety of our personnel and firefighters can’t help others unless they are safe and protected themselves. As of result of the generosity of Dr. Watts, Linda Watts, Sara S. Long Charitable Foundation, we can increase the safety of our responders and more efficiently respond to victims who have been injured in an active shooter situation.”
“Providing our firefighters with this gear will allow them to more safely respond and to care for victims at the scene of a shooting or violent event,” says Chief Hutchinson. Firefighters will also be training with local law enforcement, EMS, and other emergency responders.