Responder Ballistic PPE Vest - Level IIIA

2023-11-07T19:28:38-05:00

Vendor: North American Rescue
Type: Body Armor
Price: 999.99

The North American Rescue (NAR) Responder Ballistic PPE Vest Level IIIA is a lightweight, rapidly adjustable soft armor vest engineered specifically for Fire/EMS personnel in Rescue Task Force (RTF) and daily wear roles. NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA certified with additional special threat testing for fragmentation, it weighs 9.1 lbs at 15" × 18" × 0.5" and is PFAS-free — providing advanced ballistic coverage without legacy chemical concerns for daily-wear medical responders.

Key Specifications

Specification | Detail
Manufacturer | North American Rescue (NAR)
Protection Level | NIJ 0101.06 Level IIIA (+ fragmentation special threat tested)
Weight | 9.1 lbs
Dimensions | 15" H × 18" W × 0.5" D
Maximum Waist Size | 62"
Shoulder Straps | Rapidly adjustable — fits all sizes
Plate Pockets | Fitted external plate pockets (front and rear)
PFAS Status | PFAS-Free — manufactured without polyfluoroalkyl substances
Available Colors | Black, Black w/Orange Reflective, Black w/Yellow Reflective, Red, Coyote Tan, Multicam (+ reflective variants)
Primary Use | Fire/EMS daily wear and RTF active shooter/rescue response

Ballistic Performance Data

Test Standard | Threat | V50 / P-BFS
NIJ 0101.06 | .357 SIG 125gr TMJ | V50: 1,867 ft/s | P-BFS: 27.3 mm
NIJ 0101.06 | .44 Mag 240gr JHP | V50: 1,661 ft/s | P-BFS: 36 mm
Special Threat | 9mm +P+ 127gr SXT | V50: 1,754 ft/s | P-BFS: 24.6 mm
Frag Special Threat | 2gr RCC Frag | V50: 3,060 ft/s
Frag Special Threat | 17gr FSP (.22 cal) | V50: 2,017 ft/s
Special Threat | 5.7×28mm 27gr SS195 | P-BFS Avg: 17 mm

Product Overview

North American Rescue is the leading supplier of tactical-medical equipment to U.S. military and law enforcement, and the Responder Ballistic PPE Vest IIIA represents NAR's purpose-built answer to a specific question: what does ballistic protection look like when it is designed by a medical company for medical responders, rather than adapted from a military or tactical law enforcement product? The answer is a vest that prioritizes the operational needs of Fire/EMS — rapid size adjustment between crew members, compatibility with turnout gear and EMS coveralls, thin enough to wear under standard PPE, and light enough for all-shift wear — while meeting the same NIJ 0101.06 ballistic standards as law enforcement armor.

The rapidly adjustable shoulder straps allow a single vest to be quickly sized for different operators — a key consideration for fire departments or EMS agencies that share armor across shifts rather than issuing individual vests. The maximum waist size of 62" ensures fit for the full range of first responder body types. The fitted external plate pockets — positioned at the exterior of the vest rather than internally — are noted by NAR as more comfortable than internal pockets for extended wear, distributing the weight differently against the wearer's body.

PFAS-free construction addresses a growing concern in Fire/EMS communities about the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in equipment that is worn against the skin for extended periods. PFAS-free manufacturing is now considered best practice for daily-wear body armor, and NAR's commitment to this standard reflects its understanding of the occupational health concerns specific to first responders. Multiple color and reflective options — including versions with Orange or Yellow reflective striping — allow the vest to serve both tactical RTF and high-visibility daily EMS wear roles.

See also: Ballistic Protection Collection | IFAK Kits & First Aid | Hemorrhage Control Supplies