Action News Jax Investigates: How Jax firefighters are being protected following stabbing attack

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two local firefighters are on the mend after being brutally stabbed by a patient with a box cutter during a transport Tuesday night.

Now, Action News Jax is investigating what's being done to protect firefighters so this doesn't happen again.

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On Thursday, we spoke with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department's top brass about the possibility of self-defense training and firefighters wearing protective vests.

As we've been telling you, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said JFRD Captain Latorrence Norris and Engineer Vincent Harper were attacked by Tony Harris, 38.

We asked Chief Keith Powers, JFRD's Interim Director, why they weren't wearing vests.

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"The guy was very cooperative with us, got in the back of rescue, no problem," Powers said.  "And something got him upset, and things changed very quickly, but what we saw from the get-go, there was nothing unusual about the run-in, no need to be in the vest."

Powers said the department likely wouldn't consider policy changes unless it sees a trend.

He also told us firefighters don't need self-defense training, as JSO accompanies them on risky calls.

Cox Media Group