WILMINGTON, Del. — A local firefighter union president joined President-elect Joe Biden for a virtual meeting about the COVID-19 pandemic on Wednesday.
Anthony Murray, the president of the International Association of Firefighters of Hamilton County, was one of a few frontline workers who spoke with Biden during the meeting.
Murray said he is currently in self-quarantine after a potential close contact exposure.
He says firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs see firsthand how people throughout the country are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In 26 years, I have not had the experience that I have experienced through this pandemic in terms of how our response has changed in such a prolonged period of time," Murray said.
Some of his concerns include having availability and access to personal protective equipment, first responders needing to quarantine, and wants to make sure first responders have access to a COVID-19 vaccine once it's available.
Sometimes first responders are forced to reuse PPE, which is meant to only be used once and is putting the community at risk, Murray said.
Because of the nature of their work, Murray says sometimes firefighters aren't able to social distance in fire trucks or fire stations.
Once a vaccine is available, Murray told Biden he wants to make sure first responders are able to get vaccinated so they can continue serving their communities.
You can watch the full virtual meeting below.
