Many Seacoast-area fire departments now rely heavily on mutual aid from neighboring towns to meet call demand, a circumstance some attribute to understaffed departments.

The National Fire Protection Association has reported that fire departments across the nation lack adequate staffing, and many Seacoast-area fire departments are no different.

Firefighters are considering wearing body armor after one of their own was shot on a call this week.

Fire Lt. Paul Lutton, 46, was shot in the calf while he and other crew members were leaving the scene of a house fire. Police have yet to identify or find the suspect. A bullet also grazed the turnout coat of firefighter Dwayne Montgomery, but he was not injured.

Union officials are now looking into purchasing body armor.