The Vital Role of Body Armour in Protecting Paramedics and Ambulance Staff
Written by: Robert Kaiser
The safety of emergency services workers, especially paramedics and ambulance staff, is reaching a critical juncture. With violence and aggression against emergency services workers steadily escalating, the provision of body armour has become not only a practical solution but also an ethical imperative.
New data from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) reveals that the UK’s 14 ambulance services are set to face over 20,000 incidents of violence, aggression, and abuse in 2024-25. This equates to at least 55 ambulance workers being attacked or abused every day, an unacceptable reality that demands immediate and decisive action.
As of 07 January 2025, the London Ambulance Service disclosed a significant increase in attacks on crews and call handlers, with incidents rising by more than 10% over the past year. This equates to approximately seven London Ambulance workers abused a day, the highest rate ever recorded.
Other countries are now starting to look favourably at body armour. For example in response to a surge in attacks, the New York City Council approved legislation in April 2024 mandating the provision of body armour to EMTs and paramedics. This move is aimed to significantly enhance the safety of emergency medical personnel amid rising assault rates.
New Zealand Ambulance Association secretary Mark Quinn told Morning Report on 25 October 2024 they also want a rollout of stab-proof vests for all workers, as the risk to them will increase dramatically.
Jason Killens, Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust and Chair of the AACE, recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to highlight the gravity of the situation. He described the “major long-term impact” these assaults have on the health and wellbeing of ambulance staff, who are simply trying to save lives. Killens also urged the judiciary to consistently apply the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018 to ensure appropriate penalties for those who commit such crimes.
While public awareness and legal deterrents are essential, they are not enough to shield ambulance workers from the violence they encounter on a daily basis. This is where body armour come into play.
In my original LinkedIn article dated 16 November 2017, I quoted Andy Farrall FIIRSM CMIOSH MIIAI MInstLM, Founder/Director of Management & Safety Training Ltd. With 12 years of experience in the ambulance service (1978–1990), Andy offered a critical legal perspective:
“A point of law which ambulance services (both private and NHS) need to bear in mind is that the employer is responsible for risk assessing all operational activities and putting into place reasonable safety controls. Body armour is classified as Personal Protective Equipment and could be a viable control measure in certain cases. If a paramedic is injured on duty by an assault, then it is reasonable to ask to see the risk assessment for that activity and, if no PPE has been specified, to ask why not?”
I wholeheartedly agree. Farrall’s insight underscores an important reality: the failure to adequately protect ambulance staff is not only a major moral failing but a potential legal liability. Simply put, failure to do all so far as is reasonably practicable to keep staff safe is, in fact, a criminal offence, and the NHS is not exempt from such a prosecution. Buying body armour would be a lot cheaper than facing the legal consequences, potential fine, and negative media coverage, such negligence would most likely bring along.
Failing to protect ambulance workers has a profound human and financial cost. Beyond the immediate physical and often long-term psychological harm, the attrition caused by unsafe working conditions exacerbates the strain on already stretched emergency services.
The personal accounts of paramedics highlight the devastating impact of this growing epidemic of violence. One Glasgow based paramedic, who prefers to remain anonymous, recently shared their harrowing experience:
“I am a 52-year-old paramedic with over 22 years’ service. After being attacked to such an extent that I feared for my life last year, I asked my service to supply me with body armour. I was told that was not service policy. I then offered to buy my own and wear it covertly. I was told this was against dress code. It appears that life is cheap in the ambulance service. Staff safety is of little consequence in comparison to overall cost.”
This testimony exposes a truly harsh reality: despite the increasing risks faced by ambulance workers, some organisations unquestionably continue to prioritise cost savings over employee safety.
Many years ago, during a lengthy conversation about this subject, Jonathan Fox, ex-spokesman of the Association of Professional Ambulance Personnel and a paramedic with over 30 years of frontline experience, shared his professional opinion on the need for body armour with me:
“You can never eliminate the risk of assault on staff. The risk of injury can, however, be minimised significantly by the provision of body armour for frontline ambulance personnel. Good radio communication, computerised flagging systems relating to previous violent incidents by specific individuals, national physical assault reporting systems, and conflict resolution training are measures commonly used in the workplace. These measures are, however, undermined by the absence of body armour provision, which provides effective personal protection, completing the package of measures necessary for a safer working environment should the worst-case scenario occur.”
Of course, I fully agree with Jonathan’s assessment, but despite what one might think, my stance is not influenced by my role as CEO of PPSS Group, a company specialising in body armour, but by three genuine core reasons:
Why body armour are essential
Body armour are designed to protect against knife attacks, blunt force trauma, and hypodermic needle-stick injuries; common risks for ambulance workers in volatile situations. These vests are lightweight and designed to maintain mobility, allowing paramedics to perform their duties without restriction.
Equipping ambulance workers with body armour is not about fostering fear but about ensuring their safety. Just as police officers wear body armour and construction workers wear helmets, paramedics deserve appropriate protective equipment tailored to their unique challenges.
Some critics argue that issuing body armour could create an atmosphere of fear or alienate patients. However, protective vests are not projecting an image of danger; in fact body armour manufacturers’ design capabilities have advanced so much in recent years. One of PPSS Group’s latest body armour designs, possibly the UK’s first and only fully certified ISO 20471:2013 model, conveys a great sense of enhanced safety, protection, and assistance. Unlike older designs from many years ago, which often made the wearer resemble RoboCop or a paramilitary figure, this innovation prioritises both functionality and a more approachable appearance, respected by the public.
A comprehensive approach
While I genuinely believe body armour are critical, they are only part of the solution. A comprehensive approach to protecting paramedics and ambulance workers should include:
As violence against ambulance workers reaches record levels, the need for proactive measures has never been clearer. Body armour offer a tangible, immediate solution to reduce the risks faced by these frontline heroes.
The moral and legal obligation to protect ambulance workers is undeniable. By equipping them with body armour and fostering a culture of accountability and respect, we can ensure their safety and wellbeing while preserving the integrity of our emergency medical services.
Ambulance workers dedicate their lives to saving others. Now, it must be time for us to prioritise their safety and ensure they return home to their families after every shift. Protecting those who protect us is not just the right thing to do, it is the necessary thing to do.
About the Author
Robert Kaiser is the CEO and Founder of PPSS Group, a global leader in the specialised field of high-performance body armour, personal protective equipment (PPE), and protective workwear solutions. He is also actively supporting the fight to end violence against women, and author of NEVER A VICTIM, with 515 pages, arguably the most comprehensive guide on women’s safety published to date.