Across Wisconsin, firefighters have been particularly susceptible to dying of COVID-19–even moreso than their law enforcement first responder counterparts. In 2021, all six of Wisconsin’s line of duty deaths for firefighters and emergency medical service personnel were a result of COVID-19 complications, according to new data released to News 3 Now. At least eleven have died since the start of the pandemic.
“Every firefighter in the world wants to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem,” Chris Klahn said, who works for the Montello Fire Department and sits on the board of directors for the Wisconsin State Firefighter Association. “This pandemic has just been a struggle to try to keep ourselves healthy, our families healthy, and still respond to those calls for service.”