SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — Adam Resanovich has been a firefighter and paramedic for the last 15 years, but he said he has never had a year quite like 2020.

What You Need To Know

  • Around three weeks ago, Summit County Public Health Department offered the COVID-19 vaccine to EMS workers

  • About 40% of the EMS workers opted in to get the vaccine

  • Health officials say the low turnout is due in part to timing and officials will offer another round for those who didn't get the vaccine 
  • The health department is pleased with the number of people who showed up to get vaccinated and said it's a great start

“It’s really changed a lot. You really have to slow down and take an extra minute to make sure you and your crew are safe,” he said.

Resanovich, who works for the city of Green Fire Department, said they now not only have to worry about keeping the public safe, they have to worry about their loved ones as well.

“We’re worried about our families, taking it home to our families. "(We're) trying to figure out the best practices to stay safe here and when we leave here making sure we weren’t taking it home to our family,” he said.

This is one reason Resanovich opted in to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it was offered to EMS personnel by the Summit County Health Department.

“I was very excited when we heard we were going to be able to get it first. It’s something right away I wanted to jump on. I really looked into it and did my research to make sure it would be safe and effective,” he said.

While 70% of the firefighters at the Green Fire Department opted in to get the vaccine, they were in the minority.

Throughout the rest of Summit County, only about 40% of all EMS workers opted in for the vaccine, said Donna Skoda, the Health Commissioner for Summit County Public Health.

"We had good turnout. I mean for our first clinic we were pleased. They are the ones taking care of the rest of us and so we want to make sure they are protected as quickly as possible," Skoda said.

For those who didn't get the COVID-19 vaccine the first time it was offered, Summit County Public Health will offer the vaccine to EMS workers again at a later date.