Three-quarters of North Carolina firefighters are volunteers, according to FEMA. They’re already dealing with a shortage, and now they're facing an additional risk. Volunteer firefighters said an outbreak could force an entire station to shut down.
WCNC Charlotte learned some volunteer firefighters have responded to calls where a patient tested positive for Coronavirus. The danger of the job has increased, but the pay has not. In fact, volunteer firefighters aren’t being paid at all.
“We’re asking the men and women to come do it for free,” said Doug Moore, Fire Chief for the Ranlo Volunteer Fire Department.
Chief Moore said some of his firefighters operate a Gaston County ambulance and have come in close contact with the Coronavirus.
“We’ve had at least two cases that they've been on the call that the patient was positive COVID-19,” said Chief Moore.