A level IV bulletproof jacket is said to provide the highest level of protection against projectiles. It can absorb bullets fired at a velocity of 878 metre/sec.
A substandard bulletproof vest is widely believed to have been responsible for the death of former anti-terrorism squad chief Hemant Karkare during the November 26 terror strike.
The men in khakhi had to lose 16 of their officers before the state government woke up and decided to buy state-of-the art (level IV) bulletproof jackets, which can withstand fire from an AK-47 assault rifle.
Now, the Mumbai fire brigade, whose personnel were also in the line of fire during those three nights of terror, fighting the fire at the Taj Mahal Hotel, does not want to put their lives at similar risk again. So, the men in blue will be getting similar equipment.
A senior fire officer said a decision had been taken to buy 100 level IV bulletproof vests. While some police officers argue that the top-quality jackets, weighing almost 10 kilograms, would cripple the movements of firefighters, the fire department has justified the purchase.
The fire officer said, “The jackets are not being procured for everyday rescues but for extraordinary events. We want a fireman to feel secure about his own life while being involved in a 26/11-like rescue operation.”
A level IV bulletproof jacket is said to provide the highest level of protection against projectiles. It can absorb bullets fired at a velocity of 878 metre/sec. The jacket weighs almost 10kg and costs about Rs45,000 apiece. It also comes with protective gear for the head.
Another fire officer said approvals had been sought from the higher-ups in the municipal corporation for purchase of the equipment and tenders were likely to be floated soon. “We are hoping to procure the jackets in four months,” the officer said.
Civic officials, however, said that the procurement process could take more time than that.
To avoid human interface during such high-risk rescues, the fire brigade also plans to buy six remote-controlled water monitors, one of which has already been procured from Finland.
Ironically, in the midst of all these security purchases, the procurement of protective personal equipment (PPE), sophisticated gear required for fire rescues, has been delayed.
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