Dead on Arms, a shooting range and firearms store in Cloquet, donated 12 ballistic vests to the Cloquet Area Fire District on Monday, February 12th.

Battalion Chief Jeremy Hutchison explained why that type of protective equipment is necessary for the department.

“The shootings are becoming more involved and one the things that we may have to do is go into a building where there is an active shooter,” explained Hutchison. “Having this type of protection will give us another layer of safety as we’re going in trying to take care of people.”

Hutchison said that this protective equipment has been on his list to buy for awhile, but, thanks to this donation, that’s no longer something the taxpayers will have to worry about.