The Stevens Point Police and Fire Commission is set to issue a state of emergency due to confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the fire department.
According to a news release, the declaration will provide Fire Chief Robert Finn with the authority to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure the fire department maintains safe levels of staffing and service for the community.
“Our firefighters, paramedics, and police officers are part of our community’s first line of defense against this pandemic,” Commission President Gary Wescott stated. “These cases of Covid within our own department show the very real risk these men and women face every day in trying to keep us safe. This virus is taking a toll on the emotional and physical well-being of public safety and health care workers who can’t go a day without worry if they or their families have been exposed,” Wescott added.