KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department EMT who died last week from COVID-19 complications will be laid to rest on Wednesday.
Billy Birmingham, 69, died on April 13. He had worked for Mast Ambulance Service since 1998 and became part of the Kansas City Fire Department in 2010, when the department took over the ambulance service.
He was the first city employee to die from COVID-19.
Funeral services for Birmingham will be held at the Duane E. Harvey Funeral Directors Chapter on Wednesday morning, followed by a graveside service at Forest Hills Cemetery.
A processional will take place, leaving from the funeral home at 9100 Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to the Kansas City Fire Department. Here is the route it will take, with social distancing guidelines in place:
- North on Blue Ridge Boulevard to 87th Street;
- West on 87th to Interstate 435;
- North on I-435 to the Eastwood Trafficway exit;
- West on Eastwood Trafficway passing KCFD EMS Headquarters; continue west on Eastwood Trafficway to Blue Parkway;
- West on Blue Parkway to Cleveland Avenue;
- North on Cleveland to Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard;
- West on Emanuel Cleaver passing KCFD Station #35; continue west on Emanuel Cleaver to Prospect Avenue;
- South on Prospect to 63rd Street;
- West on 63rd Street passing KCFD Station #29,; continue west on 63rd Street to Troost Avenue;
- South on Troost to the entrance of Forest Hills Cemetery, 6901 Troost.
The processional is expected to arrive at the cemetery at 12:30 p.m.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered flags to be flown at half-staff at government buildings in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties and at fire stations across the state on Wednesday in honor of Birmingham.
A flyover also will take place on Tuesday over the funeral home to honor the EMT.
