By FireRescue1 Staff

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A Massachusetts fire department will now don ballistic vests and helmets for extra protection while on duty.

The Sun Chronicle reported that the Foxborough Fire Department used a state grant to purchase the equipment. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Kelleher said they now have enough ballistic vests and helmets for a full shift of seven firefighters and paramedics.

“We’re excited about it,” Chief Kelleher said. “This is something we wanted to be out in front on.”

Chief Kelleher also said he doesn’t know of any departments in the area that have acquired the same protection for their members.

The grant also supplied the department with hemorrhage control packs for gunshot wounds.