Research undertaken by ERG Open Research has claimed that emergency responders were 15 times more likely to have contracted during the first wave to hit New York.

The report states that “between 1/3/2020 – 31/5/2020, we observed that the COVID-19 infection rate among FDNY responders was 362/1000 – 15 times the NYC rate (24/1000).[1] EMS had over a four-fold increased risk of severe COVID-19 and a 26% increased risk of confirmed COVID-19 disease when compared with firefighters.

“It is likely that their higher-intensity COVID-19 exposures contributed to the increased risk and severity of COVID-19 illness. Although both FDNY firefighters and EMS responded to the pandemic-related surge in 9-1-1 emergency medical calls and followed the same PPE protocols,[4] EMS had greater COVID-19 exposure than firefighters due to greater COVID-related call volume and being solely responsible for patient transport, nebulization of bronchodilators and intubation.”

Emergency responders exposed to Covid

The increased exposure to potential Covid-19 patients would also mean that PPE for emergency responders would play a crucial role in keep them as safe as possible. “To protect healthcare workers, including pre-hospital responders, requirements of proper PPE use, environmental controls, influenza vaccination (to minimize additional medical leave, mischaracterization and potential additional comorbidity) and COVID-19 vaccination, when available, are all critical.”

The study included 14,290 of the 15,000 front-line workers at the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) and was funded by FDNY. Of those 15,000 more than 5,000 were either confirmed or suspected Covid-19 cases.