COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Shield616 and the Fire Foundation of Colorado Springs are teaming up to equip firefighters with active shooter gear. They presented the first set of protective vests and helmets to 24 firefighters from the Colorado Springs Fire Department.

For the past two and a half years, Shield616 has been focused on getting better protective gear to law enforcement officers. But President and founder of Shield616, Jake Skifstad said it was his vision from the beginning to help protect all first responders. He said, “As a former police officer, there are many situations when we go put ourselves in harms way, the firefighters are not far behind us. they are there also. We think about our firefighters, they have no protection. They don`t even have the soft vests that police officers have.”

CSFD Chief Ted Collas said, “Our world is changing around us. we’ve all seen that happen as we watch the evening news and firefighters are right in the middle of that. Responding to every aid call, whether its an active shooter, terrorist event or someone ill in their own home. We have to be prepared for any event we are going to. They are going to protect the community. It’s our job to make sure they are as safe as possible when they are doing it.”

Skifstad said, “Our bigger vision is we want to get any firefighter from any fire agency equipped across the country that want help, or needs help. We can rally the community around them. We’re willing to help them.”

If you’d like to donate money for a firefighter in your community, visit Shield616.org.