Essential Stories: Firefighting in a Pandemic

The Aurora Regional Fire Museum created the Essential Stories: Firefighting in a Pandemic exhibit in order to collect, preserve and present the experiences of local firefighter working during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a museum devoted to the history of firefighting, it is crucial for us to collect the stories of history that is happening right now in order to preserve them for future generations of firefighters and for our community as a whole. We will share the responses here in an online exhibit to provide insight into the lives of firefighters during this unprecedented time.

This is an ongoing collection process and we encourage any interested Illinois firefighters to complete the exhibit survey here.

This project was funded by Illinois Humanities.

Steven Diehl- Firefighter/paramedic, South Elgin Fire Department

Where in your day to day work have you seen the biggest changes due to COVID-19 and what are they?

Response to calls regarding use of PPE. Use of mask and gloves on calls we normally never did before. Slowing down on ems response while gearing up in PPE for possible covid19 response

What does a typical work day at the station look like now?

Less public interaction less multi unit training, and less hands on training.

What type of plan, if any, did you make with your household in case one of you became sick?

We have bedroom in basement set in case this happens

How has COVID-19 impacted procedures for calls, for both fires and medical? What changes, if any, have you had to make?

Again spending more time suiting up to deal with calls with PPE constraints.

Jim Rhodes- Battalion Chief, Aurora Fire Department

Where in your day to day work have you seen the biggest changes due to COVID-19 and what are they?

Having to wear masks around the fire stations and on every call

What does a typical work day at the station look like now?

Practicing social distancing, eating at multiple tables that are spread out, arranging sleep quarters to ensure firefighters are spread out.

How has COVID-19 impacted procedures for calls, for both fires and medical? What changes, if any, have you had to make?

Having to wear masks on all calls

Kevin Chapman- Firefighter/paramedic, Bartlett Fire District

What type of plan, if any, did you make with your household in case one of you became sick?

I was going to live in our garage or basement for the timeframe of the illness.

Where in your day to day work have you seen the biggest changes due to COVID-19 and what are they?

Our interaction with other members within the Fire Department has been nonexistent due to attempts at social distancing. Interactions with the public are at a minimum if any at all.

How has COVID-19 impacted procedures for calls, for both fires and medical? What changes, if any, have you had to make?

If any symptom alerts come from the dispatcher, it is mandated we don all appropriate PPE. I've learned to keep multiple masks in my bunker gear due to potential interactions on rescue calls and fires.

Any specific acts of kindness or support from the community that stand out to you?

We've had some random acts of kindness from the public as in dropping off baked goods to show support.

Rich Stumbaugh- Lieutenant/Paramedic, South Elgin Fire Department

What does a typical work day at the station look like now?

Upon entering into work we are required to do a temperature check and the officer records it on a sheet. We do rig checks in the morning and wipe down desks, phones and door handles. During emergency calls we ask COVID questions and prefer patients to meet us at the front door. We will still allow visitors but they must be free of symptoms and wear a mask.

How has COVID-19 impacted procedures for calls, for both fires and medical? What changes, if any, have you had to make?

We are now wearing at least a surgical mask on all ems calls and fire calls that do not require wearing an SCBA mask. We have to document all PPE that is used during calls for replacement.

If you have experienced an epidemic or crisis like this before, either at work or in life in general, what are the similarities or differences?

I think this has been harder to deal with because of social media. There are a lot of opinions that are shared they are sometimes not accurate and are used to promote fear.

Any specific acts of kindness or support from the community that stand out to you?

The public has been very supportive with messages and cards. We have also had dinner purchased for the shift.