Paramedic watches as colleague stabbed with scissors – bulletproof vest prevents injury

A paramedic in Finland witnessed a colleague being attacked with scissors while wearing a bulletproof-style protective vest, which prevented serious injury, reports Yle. The incident has reinforced calls for personal protective gear as violence against emergency responders rises.

Melek Ayarci, a paramedic in the Päijät-Häme region, described seeing a coworker suddenly stabbed in the side with scissors during a call. “Thankfully, they were wearing the vest,” Ayarci said. “It saved them from harm.”

Both Päijät-Häme and neighboring Kanta-Häme are transitioning from shared to personal protective vests, citing poor fit and hygiene concerns with communal gear. The new vests, functionally equivalent to bulletproof models, shield against knives, needles, and firearms.

Ville Lähde, an emergency care specialist in Kanta-Häme, noted a growing need for protection. “We’re seeing more knives on calls,” he said. “These vests provide real security—both physical and psychological.” Police now routinely accompany crews when violence is reported.

The €183,000 contract for Kanta-Häme’s new vests covers four years and may extend to social workers and crisis teams. Shared vests, used for 15 years, had reached the end of their service life.