Many local firefighters have begun receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as they continue to provide life-saving support to the community. With a daily risk of coming into close contact with so many people, it’s the latest step these first responders are taking to try to stay safe.
According to officials with the Daviess County Fire Department, 14 of their 29 full-time firefighters have already received their first dose.
“Around half of the department has been vaccinated so far,” he told Mattingly. “Several of our volunteer firefighters have gotten it.”
DCFD Chief Jeremy Smith said during a virtual meeting Wednesday with Judge-Executive Al Mattingly that his team has adjusted to wearing personal protective equipment when responding to calls, though the daily risk of coming into close contact with someone who’s COVID positive has been an ongoing challenge.
Three of Smith’s firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19, though whether they were infected on the job or outside of work hasn’t been determined. Those team members weren’t eligible for the vaccine but had acquired the antibodies to fend off the virus for the foreseeable future, Smith said.
There is no mandate in place saying firefighters must get vaccinated, and Smith noted that DCFD had been “blessed to have not missed a shift yet” due to quarantine procedures. He attributed that blessing to the precautions his team had continued to take since the virus first hit the area.
“When they’re showing signs and symptoms we take the [additional precautions],” he added.
Fortunately, none of Smith’s team members had experienced adverse reactions to the vaccine so far.
“Just a few sore arms,” he said.
Officials with the Owensboro Fire Department said due to privacy concerns they could not provide numbers as to how many City firefighters have received the vaccine, but Battalion Chief Steve Leonard said he believes some of his team members have opted to get it.
