For firefighters and paramedics, coronavirus presents a new risk to an already risk-filled job. "We've seen a lot of tragedy this year, which is heartbreaking," Wauwatosa Fire Department Division Chief Chris Sandoval said Monday.
As the COVID-19 death toll continues to rise, the death of Ixonia EMS Capt. Kelly Raether has hit first responders especially hard.
"Myself and my other partner, we were OK, and she was the one that ended up testing positive," Ixonia Fire Chief Dave Schilling said last week.
The 42-year-old transported a patient who was diagnosed with COVID-19 the following day.
Raether died of the virus on Thanksgiving.
Sandoval said her death shows how dangerous the situation can be for first responders.
"It's tragic," he said. "It's very tragic. All of our members reviewed that case and understand that there are very real dangers to what we do."