FIREFIGHTERS VACCINE

Rate is now 9 point 6-2 percent.

Governor andy beshear announced beshear announced monday the coronavirus vaccine would first go to longterm care residents and healthcare workers, when it arrives in the state.

Firefighters in kentucky are asking to join that high priority group.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine spoke with the berea fire department about why firefighters should be included.

"i don't have that option of working from home.

I've been on shift every single day this year."

That's one of the reasons brent billings...berea fire department's public information officer...says firefighters deserve to be among the first in line for a coronavirus vaccine.

Brent billings: "i don't want to put anybody on different levels because i think we're all on the same team and we're all shooting for the same goal, but i don't see a reason for us not to be in that same grouping as the first responders in the hospital right now."

He says first responders...such as firefighters....polic e...emt's...and others....all come into direct contact with people who don't even know they have the virus.

"we have had a few cases where we go out to a unknown patient who did not have any symptoms. once they got to the hospital and was in the hospital for a few days, they tested positive, so that came back to us through our contact tracing, so it's just as high of a risk out there n the field as it in in the hospital where you know if those cases are positive or not."

Billings says...fortunately.

..none of the berea firefighters have gotten coronavirus...but if it were to spread though such a small department...the results could be dire.

"if my department has to shut down, that affects my community and puts them at risk as well because i'm unable to respond to their emergencies."

In berea...bobbi mcswine...abc 36 news.

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