After nearly a year working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, Portland-area first responders began receiving their vaccinations this week.
On Wednesday, paramedics and EMTs at American Medical Response filed past rows of parked ambulances at the organization’s Portland headquarters. Inside, three paramedics waited with vials of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine set up on folding tables. Two at a time, they sat and received an injection in the shoulder. People cheered, took selfies and high-fived after vaccinations were completed.
At its Northeast Portland training center on Thursday morning, Portland Fire & Rescue began vaccinating its firefighters.
Tents were set up outdoors with enhanced ventilation provided by fans. Shots of the Moderna vaccine were administered at two tables on opposite ends of each tent. Fire engines arrived with their crews in staggered blocks of time to minimize contact.
“Today is a historic day, and it is a relief,” said Portland Fire Chief Sara Boone, “it offers us hope.”
Approximately 230 firefighters were scheduled to be vaccinated on Thursday, with around 200 additional vaccinations planned per day for the next two days, said Deputy Chief of Training Tim Matthews. Other public safety agencies will follow, and then in about a month, firefighters will receive their second dose of the vaccine.
“It feels like we’re able to start a new day, today, the last day of 2020,” said Alan Ferschweiler, president of the Portland Firefighters’ Association.
Among those vaccinated on Thursday was Fire Chief Sara Boone, who received her shot from Ndia Gatimu, one of eleven PF&R recruits who are paramedics and able to work as vaccinators.
“This has been the hardest year of my entire career,” said Chief Boone. “Our personnel… there was no level (of protection) we could give them to where they would be safe. So that has been daunting to carry that weight.”
“This is the first day I will be able to sleep really well.”
