DEPARTMENT: Sheriff
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Endorsement Of Federal Legislation To Reimburse Body Armor Costs For All Emergency Responders
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Endorse federal legislation to reimburse body armor costs for all emergency responders.
SUMMARY
Since 2015, body armor vests have been directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 305 law enforcement and corrections officers; 43 of those body armor vests were purchased, in part, with the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) funds. The proliferation of guns and increasing societal unrest has led to a significant uptick in violence against all emergency responders, including Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel.
The State of Minnesota recently adopted rules to guide 2023 legislation allowing reimbursement for body armor vests for EMS and fire personnel, in addition to existing reimbursements for law enforcement and correctional officers. Emergency responders provide critical services to our communities, and this funding will provide equipment that allows them to do their jobs properly, efficiently, and safely. Most Dakota County’s Fire and EMS personnel do not have access to body armor vests due to budget limitations and the lack of federal reimbursement. Law enforcement in Cities and Counties with populations over 100,000 do not qualify for law enforcement federal vest reimbursement. Due to the population requirement, the Dakota County Sheriff does not receive federal vest reimbursement despite having a similar number of peace officers as qualifying city police departments within Dakota County.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
This resolution requests the federal government increase funding for this grant and amend the program to allow vests to be purchased for additional emergency responder personnel.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), enacted in 1998, allocated funds to reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of body armor vests for law enforcement and correctional officers, the bill does not provide similar reimbursements for other first responders: Emergency Medical Technicians, paramedics, and firefighters; and
WHEREAS, since fiscal year 2015, body armor vests have been directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 305 law enforcement and corrections officers (based on Office of Justice Programs data, April 2023); and
WHEREAS, 43 of those body worn armor vests were purchased, in part, with BVP funds; and
WHEREAS, the proliferation of guns in the United States and increasing societal unrest has led to a significant uptick in violence against all emergency responders, including fire and EMS personnel; and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota recently adopted rules to guide 2023 legislation allowing reimbursement for body armor vests for EMS and fire personnel, in addition to existing reimbursements for law enforcement and correctional officers; and
WHEREAS, emergency responders provide critical services to our communities, and we strive to provide equipment that allows them to do their jobs properly, efficiently, and safely; and
WHEREAS, most Dakota County’s Fire and EMS personnel do not have access to body armor vests due to budget limitations and the lack of federal reimbursement.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners endorses
the effort to provide federal funding for body armor for all first responders and those acting in a first responder capacity and urges U.S. Congress to pass legislation providing additional funding for body armor vests and broadening the requirements to include fire fighters and rescue and EMS personnel, whether serving their community in public and private entities.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Joe Leko
Author: Nina Langer