Nov. 17--ODESSA, Texas -- The Odessa Fire Department is taking tips from the Odessa Police Department on protecting fire investigators.
Two investigators have been fitted and will soon receive National Institute of Justice approved bulletproof vests as part of the United States Department of Justice's 2011 Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program.
The Odessa City Council approved the OFD's participation in the program during their Nov. 8 meeting. The move followed the council's approval of the OPD to receive 20 vests through the program during the council's Oct. 11 meeting.
Through the program federal funds pay half of the costs for the bulletproof vests and agencies like the OFD and OPD pay for the other half. The OFD will pay $675 from the fire administration budget for one bulletproof vest and $675 of federal funds pays for a second vest.
Though the OFD's seven fire inspectors, all certified peace officers, are not regularly in danger of getting shot, OFD Fire Chief Roger Boyd said the bulletproof vests are a preventative measure.
"They respond to calls in lots of different areas in the community, and we feel like this is a proactive approach to things that could go wrong," Boyd said.
The fire inspectors are most often called in on arson cases, which, depending on the circumstance, are either first or second degree felonies, Fire Marshall Detra White said. During investigations there are, at the most, two fire inspectors on the scene.
As peace officers, fire inspectors are also called out to perform bar inspections during late night hours, which may also be potentially violent situations.
"There is always a level of concern for them," White said. "You don't know who you're dealing with or what their level of aggression could be."
Since the bulletproof vests are fitted exactly to adequately protect officers, only two fire inspectors will receive the vests for now. White said, however, the OFD is working on getting bulletproof vests for all personnel.
The OPD uses the same NIJ-approved vests, which are fitted and given to new officers and are replaced on a five-year cycle, OPD spokeswoman Cpl. Sherrie Carruth said. Every uniformed officer is required to wear a bulletproof vest, Carruth said.
"For officers, being on the frontline, you never know what type of situation you're going to go into," Carruth said. "Having a level of protection is better than not having one at all."
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