VIDEO: Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announced Wednesday, EMS teams will be added to the list of those who first receive the COVID-19 vaccine, and it comes as a relief to those on the front lines.
“It’s stressful for everyone involved,” said Karen Arp, who been a volunteer EMT for 36 years. Several weeks ago she contracted COVID-19 from a fellow volunteer. “I was very tired and I got worn out very easily,” said Arp.
She volunteers at Bennington Fire and Rescue where a handful of volunteers have tested positive or have been exposed to the virus, forcing to them to stay home.
“Which means they’re not able to respond and answer the calls,” said Dan Mallory, Fire Chief, Bennington Fire and Rescue. “So when the calls are coming up and we’re having those incidents we’re running short-staffed.” At times having to piece together response teams.