LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lincoln’s fire and rescue department is looking into equipping its emergency crews with body armor.

Fire Chief Micheal Despain told the Lincoln Journal Star that the department is researching ballistic protection to potentially acquire vests and helmets to protect firefighters in an active shooter response. Lincoln Fire and Rescue has already purchased bulletproof medical bags and trained with local law enforcement agencies to prepare for active shooter situations.

“You never thought ambulance teams or medic teams would even need to wear body armor,” said Shawn Mayfield of Point Blank Enterprises at a recent vest demonstration in Lincoln. “But I guess that’s the way things are going.”

More fire departments around the county are buying bulletproof vests, according to manufacturers.

Despain doesn’t know of any recent stabbings or shootings involving the city’s emergency crews but he said there have been some close calls. Several paramedics have been assaulted, he said.

“We’re seeing more and more weapons out there,” he said.

Ballistic vests are covered under warranty for a certain number of years. The city will assume all liability after that if one fails to work or someone is injured or killed, Despain said.

The department estimates the vests would cost more than $200,000 total for the 250 firefighters.

The vests aren’t a top priority since the department is working to replace aging fire engines, Despain said. New fire engines are estimated to cost upward of $450,000 each.

“We need 11 fire engines yesterday,” he said. “We won’t be able to go to the (active shooter) incident if we don’t get that solved over time.”