My original plans were to launch a podcast at the beginning of 2020 with the focus on the issues and stories from those in the fire service. I built a new recording studio and purchased all the equipment to record on location anywhere. I started recording interviews in January of 2020. COVID-19 changed everything! No more face to face interviews......
After the shutdown, April looked good for a launch. COVID became the storyline from the start. My first two podcast focused on concerns and issues facing first responders at the beginning of the pandemic.
Honestly, I did not want COVID to be the only subject covered on EmergencyFD Storyline. So, I began moving forward with the stories I started recording pre-COVID.
In the middle of the epidemic and hoping the subject was in the rear view window, COVID hit close to home. My son, a young, very strong, healthy, firefighter contracted COVID-19 on the job. (not from the "hundreds" of patients he treated as an AEMT nor from 2nd job working at an ER while off duty). Jr. got COVID from another firefighter. In fact, all 3 shifts at his engine house were affected by COVID-19. It was a good reminder....It is a serious matter for the fire service and all frontline workers.
My son had no choice but to be my next victim for an interview. He was young. He was careful. He works for one of the best fire departments in the United States. On top of hearing what it is like to have COVID. I got to interview my son's Chief of Safety and Wellness discuss openly the incident and share some great advice and lessons learned.
Yes, I received a full blessing from Memphis Fire Director Gina Sweat to share my son's COVID experience with the world. MFD has a great reputation of professionalism and a willingness to share lessons learned. It is a great tradition!
Just like you, I am tired of masks and being told what to do by a long list of stupid media types and no nothing but politics politicians, Yet, COVID is real and is not to be taken lightly. My wife is an immune compromised nurse which reminds me everyday to be proactive for the people I love. That is why I am writing this.
If you are skeptical and just tired of COVID, please listen and share the three podcast below:
Look for podcast 20-01, 20-02, & 20-06. You can find my EmergencyFD Storyline Podcast at my website at www.emergencyfd.com. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Spotify and many more podcast directories. First responder or not, your eyes might be opened to a common sense approach and to think about others first.
-Tom Mann
My blog, my opinion, my thoughts....
(my son's experience with COVID-19):