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The Importance of Police Riot Gear for Protection During Operations

In recent years, the role of law enforcement officers has become very important, especially during public demonstrations and riots. While police use many different types of protective equipment during their work, one aspect remains clear: the necessity of protective riot gear for police officers. Riot gear, including helmets, shields, and body armor, is essential for protecting officers and ensuring public safety. In this article, we will explore the importance of riot gear for police, examining its role in safeguarding officers, maintaining order, and facilitating peaceful resolutions.

1. Protection Against Physical Harm

During riots and violent protests, police officers are often targeted with projectiles such as rocks, bottles, fluids, and other dangerous objects. Riot gear provides crucial protection against these threats. Riot helmets, face shields, riot shields, and body armor can prevent serious injuries and even save lives. By equipping officers with protective riot gear, law enforcement agencies can reduce the risk of harm and ensure that officers can perform their duties safely.

Key Points:

  • Riot Helmets and Riot Face Shields: Protect against head injuries and facial trauma, as well as helping prevent liquids thrown at officers from entering their face.
  • Riot Suits: Suits help protect vital organs from impact and penetration during operations. They cover the front part of the officer’s vital organs, and can also be paired with ballistic body armor.
  • Riot Shields: Riot Shields offer a barrier against thrown objects and direct physical attacks. They can also be used in an interlocking form to form a riot barrier.
  • Gas Masks: Gas Masks also make up an important part of officer’s riot gear stock. They help protect against the use of tear gas & peppers spray, as well as other harmful substances that  offices may be exposed to during anti-riot operations.

2. Maintaining Public Order

Riot gear is not just about individual officer safety; it’s also about maintaining public order. When police are equipped with the necessary protective equipment, such as riot helmets, riot face shields (visors), riot suits, riot shields, and gas masks, they are better positioned to control crowds and prevent chaos. Riot gear enables officers to form protective lines, advance safely into volatile situations, and disperse crowds without resorting to excessive force. This presence can act as a deterrent, reducing the likelihood of violence escalating.

Key Points:

  • Formation Tactics: Allow for safe and effective crowd control.
  • Deterrence Effect: Reduces the chances of violence by demonstrating preparedness.
  • Non-Lethal Options: Enables the use of non-lethal methods to manage crowds.

3. Facilitating Peaceful Resolutions

A well-equipped police force can help de-escalate potentially violent situations. When officers have the necessary riot gear, they can approach conflict zones with more confidence and control. This preparedness can foster a sense of order and authority, encouraging peaceful compliance from protestors and rioters. Moreover, it allows police to focus on de-escalation techniques, communication, and negotiation, rather than solely on self-defense.

Key Points:

  • Confidence and Control: Enables officers to manage situations calmly.
  • De-escalation: Encourages peaceful compliance through authority and preparedness.
  • Communication: Focus on dialogue and negotiation over force.

 

In conclusion, the importance of riot gear for police cannot be overstated. It is a critical component in ensuring the safety of officers, maintaining public order, and facilitating peaceful resolutions during riots and violent protests. By providing police with the necessary protective equipment, we can support their mission to protect and serve while fostering a safer and more orderly society.

Looking for riot gear for your team? 

Make sure to stay prepared! Check out our collection of riot helmets, riot face shields, riot suits, riot shields, gas masks, and other tactical gear to determine what is best for your team. Contact us and speak with one of our tactical gear specialists to discus what gear would fit your team the best, and to get quotes and samples. Looking for riot gear fast? ExecDefense USA has you covered!

Body Armor for Firefighters: Protecting Our Firefighters

ExecDefense fire bullet proof vest for fire fighters

The Vital Importance of Body Armor for Firefighters

Firefighting is an inherently dangerous profession. Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect our communities from the devastating effects of fires. While most people associate firefighting with battling blazes, these brave individuals face a myriad of other hazards. This is why it is crucial for firefighters to purchase and wear body armor. In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons why body armor is essential for firefighters, explore the specific risks they face, and highlight how body armor can save lives.

The Expanding Role of Firefighters

Modern firefighters are not only tasked with extinguishing fires; their roles have expanded to include responding to a wide range of emergencies. From hazardous material spills and natural disasters to terrorist attacks and active shooter situations, firefighters are increasingly finding themselves in dangerous scenarios that go beyond the traditional fireground.

Why Body Armor is Crucial for Firefighters

  1. Protection from Ballistic Threats In active shooter situations, firefighters are often among the first responders on the scene. These scenarios are unpredictable and can quickly turn violent. Wearing body armor such as bullet-resistant vests design for fire fighters provides crucial protection against firearms, increasing the chances of survival and enabling firefighters to perform their duties without compromising their safety. In addition, head protection such as ballistic helmets, are also an important part for a firefighter’s body armor stock.
  2. Defense Against Stabbing and Slashing Firefighters frequently encounter individuals in distress, including those who may be violent or mentally unstable. In such instances, there is a risk of being attacked with sharp objects. Body armor designed to protect against stab and slash injuries can be life-saving in these situations, whether ballistic vests with integrated stab protection, or vests that provide only stab protection.
  3. Enhanced Safety in Hazardous Environments Firefighters work in environments where debris, shrapnel, and falling objects are common hazards. Body armor offers an additional layer of protection against blunt force trauma, reducing the risk of serious injury from these threats. Ballistic helmets can help reduce brain trauma for shrapnel incidents.
  4. Chemical and Biological Protection Responding to hazardous material incidents and potential terrorist attacks involving chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) agents requires specialized protective gear. Gas masks are designed to provide limited protection against these threats, helping firefighters can safely operate in contaminated environments. In some situations, gas masks are required by firefighters to help protect them from tear gas or pepper spray that may be used by law enforcement.

Real-Life Scenarios Highlighting the Need for Body Armor

  1. Active Shooter Incidents In recent years, there has been an alarming increase in active shooter incidents. Firefighters, often acting as first responders, are at significant risk during these events. The tragic shooting at a municipal building in Virginia Beach in 2019 underscored the importance of body armor. Firefighters on the scene faced the threat of gunfire while attempting to rescue victims and secure the area. Having body armor can make a critical difference in such high-risk situations.
  2. Violent Individuals and Domestic Incidents Firefighters are regularly called to assist in domestic violence incidents and other situations involving violent individuals. In 2017, a firefighter in Long Beach, California, was fatally stabbed while responding to a fire at a home. This heartbreaking event highlights the potential dangers firefighters face and the need for protective gear to mitigate these risks.
  3. HazMat Responses Firefighters often respond to hazardous material spills and chemical leaks. In these scenarios, the risk of exposure to dangerous substances is high. Body armor with chemical-resistant properties can provide an added layer of protection, allowing firefighters to operate more safely in these environments.

Choosing the Right Body Armor for Firefighters

When selecting body armor, firefighters must consider several factors to ensure they are adequately protected:

  1. Threat Level The bullet-resistant vests or ballistic helmets should be rated to protect against the specific threats firefighters are likely to encounter. This includes ballistic threats, stabbing, slashing, and blunt force trauma, and different rounds such as handguns or rifles.
  2. Comfort and Mobility Firefighting is physically demanding, requiring a full range of motion. Bullet resistant vests for firefighters, and tactical ballistic helmets, must be comfortable and allow for unrestricted movement to ensure that firefighters can perform their duties effectively.
  3. Durability Firefighters operate in harsh conditions, so the body armor must be durable and able to withstand the rigors of the job. This includes resistance to heat, flames, and exposure to hazardous substances.
  4. Compatibility with Other Gear Body armor should be compatible with other protective gear, such as turnout gear, helmets, and SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus). This ensures that firefighters can wear all necessary equipment without compromising their safety or performance.

Conclusion: Investing in the Safety of Our Firefighters

The role of firefighters has evolved, and so have the dangers they face. The traditional fireground hazards are now accompanied by new and unpredictable threats, making it more important than ever to ensure that our firefighters are adequately protected. Body armor is a critical piece of equipment that can save lives and allow firefighters to perform their duties with greater confidence and security.

Investing in high-quality body armor is an investment in the safety and well-being of our firefighters. By recognizing the importance of this protective gear and making it a standard part of their equipment, we can better protect these everyday heroes who risk their lives to protect us.

Looking into purchasing body armor, such as vests, or helmets, for your team? Contact a tactical specialist at ExecDefense USA and we can help guide you on the right armor to order.

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The Crucial Role of Riot Helmets for Police, Sheriff and Corrections

In today’s dynamic and ever-changing world, law enforcement agencies face numerous challenges in maintaining order and ensuring public safety. Among the essential tools at their disposal are riot helmets, which play a crucial role in protecting police officers during potentially volatile situations.

 

Riot helmets serve as a vital component of police officers’ personal protective equipment (PPE), offering critical head and face protection in riotous or confrontational scenarios. These helmets are specifically designed to withstand various hazards encountered during civil unrest, including thrown projectiles, chemical irritants, and physical assaults. By providing a physical barrier, riot helmets reduce the risk of head injuries, skull fractures, and lacerations, thereby ensuring officers can perform their duties with confidence and minimal risk to their well-being.

 

ExecDefense USA manufactured several types of riot helmets for different applications.

 

Our PROTEC-X Riot Helmet is one of our most popular riot helmets for anti-riot operations. Paired with our TURBO-X Riot Suit, this helmet is strong, secure, and tested to NIJ 0104.02 anti-impact standards. It includes a strong neck guard to help protect against neck threats, an the thick visor also includes a fluid guard to help protect against the entrance of liquids or bodily fluids that may be thrown at an officer wearing the riot helmet.

 

Riot helmets not only provide physical protection but also exert a psychological impact on both law enforcement personnel and the public. When officers wear riot helmets, it sends a clear visual message that they are prepared to maintain order and respond to potential threats. This visible deterrent effect can dissuade individuals from engaging in violent or disruptive behavior, helping to de-escalate tense situations before they spiral out of control. By projecting an image of authority and readiness, riot helmets contribute to a sense of security and discourage the escalation of violence.

 

One of ExecDefense helmets that is popular for high-tactical riot operations is our TERMINATOR-X Riot Helmet. This helmet is equipped with a strong steel face cage to help reduce the impact of blunt objects to the face, and it also includes a strong fluid guard gasket on the top of the visor. The neck protector is removable (for easy cleaning) and the visor is standardly treated with an anti-fog treatment. This helmet is popular to be paired with the ExecDefense PROTEC-X gas mask (front face style) along with EDI’s RUB-X Riot Shield.

 

Public trust and confidence in law enforcement are paramount for effective community policing. Riot helmets play a role in preserving this trust by ensuring that officers can effectively perform their duties while minimizing personal harm. When the public witnesses police officers equipped with protective gear, it conveys a sense of professionalism and commitment to public safety. By prioritizing officer safety, riot helmets underscore the principle that law enforcement agencies value the well-being of their personnel, further enhancing public trust and cooperation.

 

Although riot helmets are an essential part to an officer’s gear bag, it’s important that riot helmets are used in conjunction with other protective equipment to help ensure officer safety. Riot suits, riot shields, and batons, are just the basics. If there are more intense crowd control operations, then gas masks, handcuffs, and other tools may be required.

 

Need help procuring riot gear for your police  / sheriff department, or correctional facility? Please contact us today and one of our tactical gear specialists can help suggest items to help your team stay protected when it matters most.

EDI-USA offers some of the best Gas Masks on the market!

A gas mask is an air purifying respiratory protective equipment used to protect the wearer from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. The mask forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth but may also covers the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. A modern mask typically is constructed of an elastic polymer in various sizes. It is fitted with various adjustable straps which may be tightened to secure a good fit. Crucially, it is connected to a filter cartridge near the mouth either directly, or via a flexible hose.

Modern day Police and military forces use gas masks for a variety of reasons, mainly to protect themselves from airborne toxins and gases. For example, police forces here in the USA use gas mask for protection against drug particles during drug raids. Gas masks are also used during riots to protect the wear from tear gas and other toxins.

At EDI-USA we manufacture a great range of gas masks and filters for replacement to make sure your team stays protected on the ground when situations get tough!

PROTEC-X GAS MASK 

One of EDI-USA® ’s most popular masks, the PROTEC-X Gas Mask includes a single front-mounted filter that is ideal for use under most anti-riot helmets. See spec sheet for full protection specifications of filter.

Sizes: 1-size fits all (Includes adjustable head straps)

“1 filter included for free!”

FRESH TAC GAS MASK

EDI-USA® ’s Fresh Tac Gas Mask is equipped with two double-side filters to allow smooth and obstructed breathing. See spec sheet for full protection specifications of filter.

Sizes: 1-size fits all (Includes adjustable head straps)

“1 filter included for free!”

REPLACEMENT CARTRIDGE (FILTER)

Threaded to 40mm thread, our gas mask replacement filters fit all our EDI-USA gas masks, as well as other brand gas masks threaded to 40mm.

Resisting a range of toxic chemicals and other civil chemicals (such as pepper spray and CS tear gas), our gas mask filters are lightweight, durable and will keep you protected from harmful elements.

Our filters are sold in packs of four (4).

 

Please contact us for a quote!

Lasers: The New Threat To Law Enforcement & How To Stop Them

Security personnel are always on their toes. Now, law enforcement and other first responders are facing a new threat: handheld lasers blinding the eyes of officers during their operations.

What are handheld lasers?

Handheld lasers are electronic devices that are easily bought in many stores, as well as online. The lasers are usually small and will emit a bright laser shining light when a button is pressed by the combatant. Most lasers currently used to distract and blind police are primary nuisance blue and green color, and they can run on batteries to last for a very long time without needing to be replaced or recharged.

Due to the small, yet powerful, size of the laser devices, they can easily be concealed or discarded by perpetrators very quickly. Perpetrators will shine then and they will go through the visors of officers’ riot helmets or riot shields.

What harm are handheld lasers causing to police and other law enforcement workers?

During security operations, combatants point powerful handheld lasers into the eyes of police officers through the visors of their riot helmets, which have many harmful affects. Such adverse affects include:

– Temporary blindness so that the officer cannot see the operational security situation they are working in during the time of laser emittance.
– Becoming severely distracted so that combatants can harm the officer, or harm the officer’s teammates or other innocent bystanders.
– Distracting the officer in order to commit criminal acts in the operational situation.
– Cause short and long-term health affects not only to the officer’s eyes, but also other parts of his or her body, as well as mental trauma.

How do officers stay safe from handheld lasers?

That’s a good question, and it’s a tough one.

Currently there are very few solutions on the market which will protect officers from combatants with handheld lasers. Since most riot helmets and riot shields are clear, lasers can be shined right into the eyes of officers without any protection.

To help protect officers, EDI-USA provides anti-laser strips that help deflect handheld lasers. Manufactured with durable PVC material, these anti-laser strips protect up to 200-540nm of primary nuisance blue and green lasers. Currently, most handheld lasers emit a frequency of 532nm, so these strips will help keep officers safe for the majority oflasers currently being shined into officers eyes under 540mm.

How do the anti-laser strips work?

Simply take the strip out of its packaging and apply it to the visor of the riot helmet or riot visor that attaches onto a ballistic helmet. The strip will stick automatically and can be removed (without leaving any sticky adhesive residue). Larger anti-laser strips are also available to apply to riot shields, and strips can be produced in custom sizes for specific operations. These anti-laser strips are literally helping save officers around the country during very dangerous situations.

Our department needs anti-laser strips ASAP. How do we get them?

Very limited stocks of anti-laser strips are available that are being held for law enforcement and security personnel use ONLY.

To order anti-laser strips for your department, call EDI-USA at 215-235-4300 or contact us via email at info@ExecDefense.com . Our engineering department can also help customize the strips to fit on your riot shields, gas masks, or even car windows.

 

For additional information on the anti-laser strips provided by EDI-USA, please call 215-235-4300 or contact us for more information. Mention you are interested in ordering anti-laser strips.

EQUIP YOUR FORCES NOW WITH HIGH-QUALITY PROTEC-X GAS MASKS FROM EDI-USA

Given the prevalent use in our current world of Riot Control Agents (RCAs), by rioters and defenders alike, top-notch face masks are essential for elite riot control forces. These often invisible RCAs can be used by forces to disperse a crowd that could be protesting or rioting, or even to clear a building. More and more often, they may also be used by rioters against law enforcement defenders. All of these chemicals can rapidly produce sensory irritation or disabling physical effects which persist up to 2 hours following the termination of exposure. 

To protect your forces, you must have the best gas mask you can purchase. EDI steps into this breach, quickly manufacturing and delivering the high-quality PROTEC-X GAS MASKS you need to protect your forces at an affordable price.

WHY PROTEC-X GAS MASKS FROM EDI-USA?

The PROTEC-X Gas Mask from EDI-USA.

At EDI, we offer a range of products to security professionals and police and military forces in the field. Our goal is to offer cutting-edge personal protection tailored to your threat environment. Around the world, our PROTEC-X GAS MASKS are one of our best-selling product lines. They fly out of our production facility because they are a comprehensive solution to tactical respiratory protection during the roughest riot operations.

MAXIMUM COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER EDI PRODUCTS

Each of our gas masks is cut to maximize its compatibility with EDI’s line of riot helmets. In particular, our PROTEC-X gas mask includes a single front-mounted filter and a cut that is ideal for use under most riot helmets. This compatibility ensures your forces will be protected, providing the comprehensive coverage riot police in the field require during a protest or riot situation. For further protection, check out EDI’s line of riot suits and riot shields.

EDI-USA’S PROTEC-X GAS MASKS IN DETAIL

All of our gas masks are one-size-fits-all, ensuring maximum compatibility for all forces while minimizing the cost of equipping your team. Manufactured with extra-tight silicone that bonds tightly to users’ faces to ensure their safety, each mask includes a single front-mounted filter ideal for use under most international-sized anti-riot helmets.

The mask is available in a side-centered or double-eyed version, has 5 silicone straps with a durable conjoiner at the back of the head, and has a 5-year shelf life. They are each resistant to certain germs, toxic fog and smoke, certain radioactive dust, particle gasaloid, and CS gas.

Filter specifications for EDI’s gas mask filters.

For those seeking a double-filtered model, we also offer the FreshTac Gask Mask, which is equipped with double-side filters to facilitate smooth and unobstructed breathing.

ULTIMATE PROTECTION FOR SECURITY FORCES

Be aware that even our amazingly successful Protec-X masks only offer protection for various airborne gases and pathogens. To fully protect your security forces select from the helmets, batons, riot suits and ballistic vests in our full catalog.