By Fire Engineering Staff
As the coronavirus pandemic enters its third week in North America, firefighters and EMS agencies are continuing to see the virus take its toll on personnel.
Firefighters in the city of Hamilton, Ohio, will be quarantined after the first recorded death in Butler County.
According to several reports, Cedar Grove Ambulance and Rescue Squad in New Jersey will be “standing down” during the pandemic and not responding to emergency calls.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has numerous reported virus cases in its ranks. Earlier this week came reports than an FDNY mechanic had died from coronavirus complications, and two retired firefighters also passed away from COVID-19. The New York Post spoke with FDNY Megan Pfeiffer about the pandemic, who said in many cases medics are “pretty much bringing patients to the hospital to die.” The Post also reported that nearly a quarter of city paramedics are out on medical leave.
