H1N1 is getting worse.

And imagine what it could mean for all of us if a bunch of firefighters all caught it?

CBS 2's Jamie Oberg went to Cedar Rapids fire station #5 and found out what it could mean for public safety.

Firefighters train and prepare for fires and rescues routinely.

Recently they've also added some new drills to their training.


"We're stuck in the stations together," Cedar Rapids Fire Captain Dan Dall said.

It's a firefighter's life 24 on48 off.

"You can see where that could be a problem with a limited number of firefighters," Capt. Dall said.

They have to be ready at a moments notice, no time to be sick.

"There are a couple of guys on the job that have been sick," he said.

Fighting fires, responding to accidents or helping people in medical emergencies comes first. Now, they've got to watch their health to make sure they can respond during emergencies. First responders are some of the first in line to get H1N1 vaccines.


"If we all start getting sick how that dip's into manpower shortages and staffing the trucks," Capt. Dall said. "This afternoon, some of the guys are getting them [H1N1 Vaccine]."

Theyve already got the basic drills down, good hygiene.

"We take a lot of precautions just sanitizing ourselves, after calls, before calls," he said.

So they can continue to run calls and keep our community safe.
Fighting Fires and the Flu