For Emergency Personnel, Disaster Planning Must Now Factor in Covid-19

Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, is worried about the ways coronavirus is already undermining readiness. Physical fitness tests, medical reviews, safety training and refresher courses have been suspended or moved online just as crews should be gearing up to be ready for work in May.

"I think there's a fair amount of dread among wildland firefighters about how they are going to do their jobs," Ingalsbee said.