Active shooter incidents can happen anywhere at any time. First responders must prepare. Proper response requires equipment to ensure responder safety.

 

Brian Wasylyk, deputy chief of Gettysburg Fire Department, discussed this recently at a Rotary Club of Gettysburg meeting. The all-volunteer, donor-funded department already finds budgeting a challenge. New needs add to the burden.

 

Two Rotarians, Jody Dickey, owner of Confederate Woods Veterinary Hospital, and Jane Hyde, president of Gettysburg Hospital, listened carefully to Wasylyk and stepped up to help. Confederate Woods and Wellspan donated funds so the department could purchase six sets of ballistic vests and helmets and first aid equipment such a tourniquets.

 

Pictured with some of the equipment are, from left: Rotarian Jane Hyde, Gettysburg Hospital president; Russell McCutcheon, Gettysburg Fire Department public information officer; Rotarian Jody Dickey, owner of Confederate Woods Veterinary Hospital; Brian Wasylyk, Gettysburg Fire Department deputy chief.