COVID-19 is taking a heavy toll on firefighters, national data shows
OTTUMWA, Iowa — The coronavirus outbreak is taking its toll on fire departments across the globe.
Numbers released by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Thursday morning illustrate the damaging impact COVID-19 has on firefighters in the U.S. and Canada.
So far, more than 1,200 have tested positive for the virus; one firefighter in Chicago has died; 5,900 have been placed under quarantine and another 4,500 firefighters have been isolated. Meanwhile, Iowa union leaders know of three confirmed firefighter cases within the state.
“It’s obviously alarming when you have firefighters being tested positive, because then you have to back up, you know, maybe two weeks, to anybody that they had been in contact with, either in the station, or out on calls," said Doug Neys, president of Iowa Professional Fire Fighters (IPFF).
To prevent further exposure, firefighters are being told to wear personal protective equipment on each call. In Ottumwa, crews are required to wear face masks, protective eye coverings and gloves.
“We have some people even changing their clothes in between calls," said Ottumwa Fire Chief Tony Miller. "With this COVID-19, you don’t know where it’s going to go, you don’t know who has it, who doesn’t have it.”
As crews battle on the front lines, Iowa union members are asking state lawmakers to implement new legislation that would add protections for public safety workers who have been exposed to the virus on the job.
“... in regards to ... whether or not that would be considered a work-related injury, and the time and the expense for that," Neys said. "There seems to be some inconsistencies across the state with our cities, and we’ve been trying to get to a point where all of our firefighters are treated the same, whether you’re a firefighter in Des Moines, or a firefighter in Ottumwa.”
CLICK HERE to view a map of U.S. fire departments directly impacted by the pandemic. IAFF numbers are being updated frequently.
