Woodlawn Fire Company volunteers Jim Kutz and James Tish asked South Whitehall commissioners to consider providing ballistic vests for individuals participating in the Tactical Emergency Casualty Care program.

Kutz requested four vests for each fire station. Police Chief John Christman said 36 vests are needed for his department and a total of 17 for fire company volunteers and EMS responders.

Kutz said the vests, which will have hard rifle plates for stab protection and compartments for medical supplies, will provide a safeguard during active shooter incidents and regular EMS calls.

He said responders do not know what is awaiting when they enter the home of someone who has requested service and sometimes the caller can pose a threat to the person who arrives to offer help.

Kutz said people from his unit go on medical calls daily. The vests will be equipped with tourniquets and supplies to care for patients’ airways.

“We give the first level of critical care to the patient as soon as possible,” Kutz said. “We treat patients to stop the hemorrhaging. We plug a wound and put a tourniquet on, then get them to more critical care.”

Specialized instruction is provided for those people wearing the vests.

Christman reported a comprehensive training program is being set up for police to work with the fire companies.

Vests cost $1,200 each with the rifle plates.

Commissioners’ President Christina “Tori “Morgan said the board is waiting for a unified collaboration plan between police, firefighters and EMS personnel for training on use of the vests before moving forward on the matter.

“The board supports this,” Morgan said. “Funding is available for 2017.”