Tulsa Police, Fire Dept. Employees Being Impacted By COVID-19

The Tulsa Fire Department said there are currently 12 firefighters who are out sick with COVID, which is less than last week when 15 firefighters tested positive.

The fire department posted a picture on Facebook, taken by a firefighter who is in the hospital, recovering from covid-19. The picture shows a fire truck outside the hospital showing some love. 

"You know we're in the business of helping people and it's frustrating for us when someone in our fire family needs help and we can't really do anything. So a gesture like those firefighters did for him certainly raises spirits," said Andy Little with TFD.

Little said there are two Tulsa firefighters currently in the hospital because of the virus. He said the firefighter who took the picture is improving each day. "That's really all they could do you know is trying to encourage him to tell him they're thinking about him and that we hope they get better. We hope both those firefighters recovery quickly and can get out of that hospital that way they can spend more time with their families and you know just come back to work," said Little.

He said the department is continuing safety precautions when responding to calls. "On responses to flu-like symptoms, pandemic-like symptoms, they're recommended that they wear masks and gloves and all the safety precautions that we have on the truck to keep them safe," said Little. 

The department is offering the vaccine next weekend for firefighters who haven't gotten the shot and would like to. "Our EMS staff will be going to all the fire stations offering the vaccinations for the firefighters that haven't had them and even for their families if they would like to have that," said Little.

The City of Tulsa said there are currently 33 city employees out because of the virus and 17 Tulsa officers that are either in quarantine or out sick with COVID-19.