Utica Fire Chief highlights importance of first responders being vaccinated ASAP By Luke Perry
New York state recently determined who will receive a limited supply of COVID-19 vaccines. Per state guidelines, “the first New Yorkers to receive the vaccine will be high-risk hospital workers (emergency room workers, ICU staff and Pulmonary Department staff), nursing home residents, nursing home staff, followed by all long-term and congregate care residents and staff, EMS workers, other health care workers, coroners and medical examiners. Staff at every hospital will have access to the first vaccine allocation.” The second phase consists of first responders, including police and firefighters, as well as teachers and other essential workers with frequent public interaction.
Photo from Utica Fire Department
The decision prompted members of the state legislature, including Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D-119, Utica/Rome), to appeal to Governor Andrew Cuomo and state health commissioner Howard Zucker to include emergency medical services personnel in the first phase of distribution.
Utica Fire Chief Scott Ingersoll emphasized the importance of vaccinating EMS workers as soon as possible. Chief Ingersoll told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) that firefighters “work in a very uncontrolled environment” and regularly respond to COVID patients and potential patients. Protective “equipment is only good if it stays intact.” Eye wear can get dislodged, clothing ripped, exposing firefighters to health dangers. Vaccinations would add “another level of protection to our personnel,” Ingersoll said.
Photo from Utica Fire Department
Such protection is vital with a 12 percent infection rate among Utica firefighters, who are trying to balance keeping crews in firehouses while quarantining when necessary. Firefighters typically work 24-hour shifts, which now include a number of safety precautions, beyond masking and social distancing, such as routine self-checks and cleaning protocols for firefighters and their gear.
The infection rate for firefighters in New York City is much higher (35 percent/5,700 members) and there has been reluctance to get vaccinated. FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro and Chief John Sudnik recently released a memo with facts about the vaccine, including how “getting vaccinated is critical to protecting yourself, your loved ones, our FDNY family, and those we serve, from COVID-19.”
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Political Science at Utica College
