AVONDALE ESTATES, GA — Avondale Estates is considering purchasing new equipment designed to better prepare its police officers to respond to active shooter incidents.

Police Chief Harry Hess requested 16 active shooter kits for the department, citing a July 4 active shooter incident at Cobb Stadium as a reminder of the need for officers to be prepared. No one was hit by gunfire during that incident.

The kits would include helmets and plates designed to protect officers from rifle and ballistic attacks. They would also include advanced first aid supplies and tools officers could use to force entry.

City Manager Patrick Bryant said the city would purchase one kit for each officer, along with two additional kits.

“One for each of our officers in the department and then two spare kits if any of the kits assigned to an officer becomes damaged or fails,” Bryant said.

The police department says the equipment would address a gap that otherwise leaves officers paying for some of the equipment themselves.

Bryant said funding for the kits has already been included in the city’s capital program.

“These aren’t expenditures that were unforeseen that we are bringing to you, this has already been approved in the capital program,” Bryant said.

Resident Jan Hover voiced support for providing the equipment to officers.

“More and more I see that it is a very dangerous job,” Hover said.

The Avondale Estates City Commission is expected to vote on the purchase at its next meeting on Sept. 23.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons & MaryRyan Howarth contributed to this story.