COVID-19 alters KCFD's traditional memorial plan for fallen EMT

KCFD: "We are going to do our very best."

BUT FIRST -- HONORING AFALLEN KANSAS CITY E-MWHO LOST HIS LIFE AFTERBATTLING COVID-19.TOMORROW BILBIRMINGHAM WILL BE LAIDTO REST.HE'S THE FIRST LOCFIRST RESPONDER TO DIEFROM THE VIRUS.41 ACTION NEWS ANCHORGABRIELLA PAGANEXPLAINS HOW AMEMORIAL TO HONOR HIMWILL BE A DIFFERENT AMIDTHIS PANDEMIC.Octavia Standley/ Eldestdaughter"We just want to thankKansas City as a whole floving on my dad,AMID A PANDEMIC -MEMBERS OF THE KANSACITY FIRE DEPARTMENTWILL DO THEIR BEST TOHONOR EMT BILLYBIRMINGHAM - WHO DIEDOF COVID-19 NEARLY AWEEK AGO.Jimmy Walker/ Assist.

Fire ChiefKCMO Fire Dept."These times are very differentand it's going to be hard tohonor Billy Birmingham like wewould under normcircumstances but we aregoing to do our very best."FOR A CAREER ROOTED INTRADITIONWEDNESDAY'S MEMORITO HONOR THE FIRSTRESPONDER WILL BEALTERED AS A RESULT OFTHE SAME VIRUS THATCOST BILLY HIS LIFE.Walker"We will have a procession,Billy will be put in the back ofan ambulancedriven by his former partnerand there will be a parade of afew firetrucks and they willdrive through the city like wetypically do."STOPPING AT DIFFERENTSITES ALONG THE WAY -BEFORE ENDINGFOREST HILLS CEMETERY.Walker"Instead of having all of ourmembers gather inside thecemetery and lineup like wetypically do, and let the casketproceed through the line to thegravesite..."...6 BLOCKS OF TROOSTAVENUE WILL BE LINEDWITH FIRE TRUCKS ONBOTH SIDES OF THESTREET.MEMBERS WILL BE LINEDUP NEXT TO THEIR TRUCKS- SOCIALLY DISTANCED.Walk"That way as a family and acasket roll through we canrender our salute there."ONE FINAL GOODBYEBEFORE HIS LAST ALARAND ONE LAST BELL FORSERVICE OVER DISPATCH -MARKING AN END OFWATCH OVER THE CITY HESPENT 22 YEARS WORKINGTO KEEP SAFE.Walker"He gave his life for it."Octavia Standley/ EldestdaughterOur daddy gave his life in theline of duty and we are soproud of him.

We are so proudof him.

We are so proud ofhim and I want everybody toknow we didn't just have, youdidn't just have a man outthere, you had somebody whloved what he was doingIN KC, GP, 41 ACTIONNE