2019 was one of the worst years on record for wildfires in Alaska. Some of the areas hit the hardest are expected to see some relief, but fire teams in Alaska will face some unique challenges in 2020 according to Tim Mowry, public information officer for the Alaska Division of Forestry Wildland Fire & Aviation Program. The biggest change from last year is that, because of COVID-19, fire teams will have to work in smaller groups. "It's gonna look different from last year, when we brought 5,000 plus people up here," Mowry said. "That's probably not going to be possible this year." Bringing up firefighters from the lower 48 risks someone bringing the disease into Alaska, so Mowry said the Division of Forestry is focusing more on prevention this year. "We've had a burn suspension, burn permit suspension, in place since May 1," he said.  

Three fighter jets from Eielson Air Force Base will offer an aerial tribute Friday to first-responders dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. An F-16 and two F-35s with the 354th Fighter Wing will fly over Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and the downtown area Friday morning, between 10 a.m. and noon. Eielson officials say a second F-16 will fly along the formation to document the flight. Base spokesperson Capt. Kay Nissen says the flyover is intended to demonstrate support for both the first-responders and military personnel. "It's, one, to show a little bit of readiness by the U.S. Air Force – ‘We're still flying, we're still doing it, despite this global pandemic,' "she said Monday. "But also we recognize that a lot of service and sacrifice is happening in our local communities by those first-responders, by those mission-essential and frontline individuals."  

The University of Nebraska Medical Center has signed an agreement with a New York-based testing company to provide large-scale antibody testing, the kind intended to determine whether a person has been infected with the novel coronavirus. The partnership between UNMC and COVAXX, a subsidiary of United Biomedical, launched with last week's testing of Omaha firefighters. "There is an immediate need in the United States to provide trusted lab-based antibody testing and processing on a massive scale to help our society develop important strategies against COVID-19, so that our communities can return to work safely and with confidence," Dr. Jeffrey Gold, UNMC's chancellor, said in a statement. "We are pleased to partner with COVAXX for this important work." The intent is to provide large-scale testing — expected to begin "in the very near future" — for other health care workers, first responders, members of the military, schools, ag enterprises, businesses and other groups across communities in Nebraska and throughout the United States, according to university officials.  

What is red and white and shows up with flashing lights and sirens sounding in times of need? The answer is York Ambulance Association, celebrating its 48th year serving the communities of York, South Berwick and Rollinsford, New Hampshire. May 17-23 is national EMS Awareness Week, which, according to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians' website, "brings together local communities and medical personnel to honor the dedication of those who provide the day-to-day lifesaving services of medicine's ‘front line.'" The YAA wants to remind people that it continues to provide emergency medical services to residents in need and raise awareness of the services provided. "People see the ambulance and assume we're part of the hospital or the fire department," said YAA Board member Marc Alterio.  

The call comes over their radio — the patient is having trouble breathing, they need an ambulance. Then, "call the center for special patient information," says a Westmoreland 911 dispatcher. The paramedics know it's likely they're heading toward the invisible threat that everyone else is trying to stay away from — the coronavirus. But for a few at Mutual Aid in Greensburg, the potential danger doesn't faze them. "At this point, we get the information and we go," paramedic Shawn Penzera said. "You just take the necessary precautions. We've done a great job so far." Paramedics and EMTs across the state for two months have been on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic, connecting those in need of treatment with hospitals. Many say it's all part of the job — the increased measures and gear necessary to keep themselves and patients safe amid a trying time.  

Facing criticism from the Mansfield firefighters union, the city announced Tuesday that two fire stations will not be closed at the same time when not enough personnel are available to work. "Speaking to the mayor, he would prefer to have one maximum closed," said Safety-Service Director Lori Cope, referring to Mayor Tim Theaker. The city, facing a 20% reduction in revenue due to the pandemic, last week ordered the fire department to eliminate "non-emergency" overtime, which halted the practice of backfilling positions so that at least 19 personnel were on duty across all five stations. Firefighters and paramedics were routinely paid overtime to fill in for others who were out sick or on vacation, which Theaker has claimed costs the city about $80,000 a month. Station No. 2 on Brookwood Way has been closed for three days and operated at half capacity on Monday because there had been less than 16 personnel on duty.  

As one of the country's first cities impacted by COVID-19, Kirkland was initially given the undesirable distinction of being the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States. Yet, the way in which the city has handled the crisis has garnered positive press, launching Kirkland into the spotlight as a role model. Mayor Penny Sweet says that her city's response has been a natural progression, and she feels grateful for the solid infrastructure that was already in place. "We were fortunate that it hit a city with an established emergency medical system," Sweet said. Even after a significant number of firefighters were forced to quarantine at home, there was never a time when Kirkland didn't have a full response team available.