We still need your help! $80K raised to outfit CSFD with Shield 616, rifle-rated vests

UPDATE: We are still looking for your help to meet our $210,000 dollar goal to outfit Colorado Springs Firefighters with Shield 616 rifle-rated protective gear.

As of Sunday morning, the total has reached $ 80,451.50. Shield 616 is still looking to raise the full $210,000 and will keep the site open for the next couple of weeks.

You can still donate here.

Wed. January, 29th- Wednesday night KRDO teamed up with Shield 616 for our "Protect the Protectors Telethon" and raised $79,000 to buy rifle-rated vests for Colorado Springs firefighters.

You can still donate here.

KRDO has been working hand in hand with Shield 616 for years. Tonight, we're looking back at what the non-profit stands for, where it came from and what's next.

A former Colorado Springs police officer, Jake Skifstad, had a vision. As a first-responder himself, he knew what they needed.

As an officer with CSPD, Jake responded to two active shooter situations -- New Life and Planned Parenthood.

"I tell people, when we strip off that badge, we're the same as you. We have the same stresses, the same emotions. We have families at home but we just have to train ourselves to go against human nature. And that's still hard. And it is terrifying sometimes."

Shield 616 outfits officers with rifle-rated vests, able to withstand bullets form high-capacity rounds, unlike the officers' standard issue vests. Along with the rifle-rated vest, Shield 616 provides a ballistic helmet and first aid kit.

It wouldn't be possible without sponsors in the community.

"It's extremely expensive," said Captain Charlie Taylor with the Pueblo Police Department. "And, right now, that would not be in the cards for our department, and certainly for departments across the nation. That is a huge additional expense."

Shield 616 first outfitted all law enforcement officers in Colorado Springs, then in the rest of El Paso County, then in Pueblo and eventually other states caught on.

And now, nearly five years later, that vision has expanded to benefit fire departments, including our very own Colorado Springs Fire Department.

The Protect the Protectors Telethon is this Wednesday. You can donate live from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., or you can donate now here.