WACO, TX — Firefighters are on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic.
As the numbers continue to rise, so does their chance of exposure.
The International Association of Fire Fighters are advocating and helping provide as much protective gear for as many fire stations across the the country to help them stay as safe as possible.
"They recognizes that firefighters are a big part of the public health chain and its important that everyone realizes they are health care providers especially during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Doug Stern, Spokesperson for IAFF.
Philip Burnett is a Lieutenant with the Waco Fire Department, and the President of the Waco Professional Firefighters Association.
He says they are committed to protect and serve as many people in the community as they can.
"We do it not just because it's our job, but it's what we want to do and what we chose as our career, and the service won't lack just because we are facing new obstacles."
So far, over 600 firefighters have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and over 4,500 have been quarantined across the United States and Canada.
Currently, none of those numbers include firefighters from Waco, and they hope to keep it that way as they continue taking every measure needed to stay safe.
"In the past, when we go on medical calls, if it was a serious situation you would wear a mask and now that going in. Now, we are going to wear them on every call and that way we are not just protecting ourselves but we are protecting the patient that we are visiting."
"We would not always wear a mask, now we wear them for every call to keep ourselves and them safe," said Burnett.
Soon enough, they will be responding to medical calls wearing more than just their mask. Stern says they are hoping every station receives more protective items.
"There is no need for alarm when they come to your door in a mask and gown, it is strictly precautionary, and it will look different but it's the same service," said Stern.
The IAFF is asking people to please let dispatchers know if anyone in their household has been tested or exposed to COVID-19.
