Louisville FD working to keep crews healthy physically & mentally

PHYSICALLY, BUT ALSO MENTALLY. WLKY’S LAUREN ADAMS HAS MORE. >> IT IS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER KIND OF JOB. THEY DON’T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPACE OUT, OR DO A ZOOM MEETING. LAUREN: NOW MORE THAN EVER IT IS EVEN MORE DANGEROUS TO BE A FIRST RESPONDER. TAKE FIREFIGHTERS FOR EXAMPLE, THEY’RE NOT ONLY WORKING SIDE BY SIDE, THEY’RE LIVING TOGETHER FOR 24 HOUR SHIFTS. IT’S WHY, AFTER EVERY RUN, EQUIPMENT IS CLEANED INSIDE AND OUT. AND COMMUNAL SPACES ARE DISINFECTED CONSTANTLY. MAJOR BOBBY COOPER SAYS THE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS ARE WORKING. >> WE’VE HAD TWO POSITIVE CASES ON THE LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT. ONLY TWO POSITIVE CASES. WE ARE WORKING WITH SICK POPULATIONS DAY IN AND DAY OUT. LAUREN: BUT THE LOUISVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT ISN’T JUST MAKING CHANGES INSIDE THEIR HOUSE EVEN BEFORE CREWS REPORT TO DUTY, THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A HEALTH SCREENING, A SERIES OF QUESTIONS, WHERE THEY’VE BEEN, WHO THEY’VE COME INTO CONTACT WITH, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A TEMPERATURE CHECK. BUT IT IS NOT JUST THE FIREFIGHTERS’ PHYSICAL HEALTH THAT’S BEING MONITORED. >> MENTAL HEALTH HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCH AN ISSUE. LAUREN: THAT ACCORDING TO CAPTAIN BRIAN O’NEILL, THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOUISVILLE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS, WHO SAYS THE EVERY DAY STRESSES OF THE JOB ALONG WITH NEW FEARS OF BECOMING SICK AND TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS TO LOVED ONES HAVE BECOME OVERWHELMING FOR MANY. IT’S WHY THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEIR CHAPLINS, AND WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING IN MIND, THEY’VE MADE MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AVAILABLE ONLINE. >> IF SOMEBODY NEEDS SOME HELP, NEEDS SOMEBODY TO TALK TO, THOSE RESOURCES ARE THERE, READILY AVAILABLE TO HELP OUT OUR PEOPLE. LAUREN: ORDINARY PEOPLE DOING A HAZARDOUS JOB IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY OF TIMES. >> IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO REALIZE THAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE PUBLIC. THEY HAVE FEARS, THEY HAVE STRESS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS, BUT IN SPITE OF THOSE FEARS, THEY’RE STILL MAKING THOSE RUNS EVERY DAY. THEY’RE STILL SHOWING THE COURAGE TO GO OUT AND KEEP SERVING THE PUBLIC IN THIS CAPA

Now, more than ever, it's more dangerous to be a first responder. The men and women of the Louisville Fire Department are not only working side by side, they are living together for 24 hour shifts. It's why, after every run, trucks and equipment are thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Communal spaces, including the kitchen and bunk room are disinfected constantly. Major Bobby Copper said the extra precautions seem to be paying off, "Some people will say we’ve been really lucky we like to think we’re just good. We’ve had two positive cases on the Louisville Fire Department. Only two positive cases and we're working with sick populations day in and day out."Personal protective gear is being utilized on every call and before reporting to duty, each firefighter undergoes a health screening, including a temperature check. But it's not just the physical health of firefighters that's being monitored, it's their mental well being as well.Capt. Brian O'Neill, the president of the Louisville Professional Firefighters, said the everyday stresses of the job, along with new fears of becoming sick and transmitting the virus to a loved one have become overwhelming for many.The Louisville Fire Department is working closely with their chaplains and with social distancing in mind, they have made mental health counselors available online. "We have several periodic Zoom meetings people can call into and phone numbers available. If somebody needs some help, needs somebody to talk to, those resources are there readily available to help out our people," O'Neill said.Ordinary people, that according to Cooper, are doing a hazardous job in the most extraordinary of times."It's really important for the public to realize that firefighters are just like the rest of the public. They have fears, they have stress due to coronavirus, but in spite of those fears they’re still making those runs every day. They're still showing the courage to go out and keep serving the public in this capacity," Cooper said.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Now, more than ever, it's more dangerous to be a first responder. The men and women of the Louisville Fire Department are not only working side by side, they are living together for 24 hour shifts.

It's why, after every run, trucks and equipment are thoroughly cleaned inside and out. Communal spaces, including the kitchen and bunk room are disinfected constantly.

Major Bobby Copper said the extra precautions seem to be paying off, "Some people will say we’ve been really lucky we like to think we’re just good. We’ve had two positive cases on the Louisville Fire Department. Only two positive cases and we're working with sick populations day in and day out."

Personal protective gear is being utilized on every call and before reporting to duty, each firefighter undergoes a health screening, including a temperature check. But it's not just the physical health of firefighters that's being monitored, it's their mental well being as well.

Capt. Brian O'Neill, the president of the Louisville Professional Firefighters, said the everyday stresses of the job, along with new fears of becoming sick and transmitting the virus to a loved one have become overwhelming for many.

The Louisville Fire Department is working closely with their chaplains and with social distancing in mind, they have made mental health counselors available online.

"We have several periodic Zoom meetings people can call into and phone numbers available. If somebody needs some help, needs somebody to talk to, those resources are there readily available to help out our people," O'Neill said.

Ordinary people, that according to Cooper, are doing a hazardous job in the most extraordinary of times.

"It's really important for the public to realize that firefighters are just like the rest of the public. They have fears, they have stress due to coronavirus, but in spite of those fears they’re still making those runs every day. They're still showing the courage to go out and keep serving the public in this capacity," Cooper said.

Louisville FD working to keep crews healthy physically & mentally

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