KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Citians will have their chance on Wednesday to recognize an emergency medical technician who died because of COVID-19.
At about noon, the Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department lead a procession through the city. Paramedics, EMTs, firefighters and members of the public lined the route to pay tribute to Birmingham.
Assistant Fire Chief Jimmy Walker said Birmingham’s former partner drove Birmingham’s casket in an ambulance along the route.
Click here for detailed information about the route.
The family will host a private, graveside ceremony at Forest Hill Cemetery after the procession.
Governor Mike Parson said Birmingham is the first known line-of-duty death of a first responder due to COVID-19 in the state. He ordered government buildings to fly flags at half-staff in Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties as well as at fire stations across the state.
“EMT Birmingham died heroically and selflessly in service to others. His death is a reminder to all of us to appreciate and thank the EMTs, paramedics, and all first responders who are serving on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19,” Parson said in a statement.
Walker said firefighters will do things slightly different than normal during Wednesday’s procession to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
Birmingham’s eldest daughter said the 69-year-old was an EMT because he wanted to help people. She said Kansas City lost a good man.
“Our daddy gave his life in the line of duty and we are so proud of him,” Octavia Standley explained. “We are so proud of him. We are so proud of him and I want everybody to know we didn’t just have, you didn’t just have a man out there, you had somebody who loved what he was doing.”
