As COVID-19 quickly spread across the country, first responders accounted for some of the earliest cases, even here in Hillsborough County.
"We had four members test positive for COVID-19. We've had over 60 members tested. We've had numerous folks exposed, isolated, or quarantined," Deputy Chief Jason Dougherty said.
That's why it was so important for Hillsborough County to test all of its first responders. The county shelled out about $250,000 for 44,000 rapid COVID-19 testing kits.
"The test will tell them whether they've been exposed to the COVID-19 virus or whether they have COVID-19," Dougherty said.
First responders in municipalities like Tampa will also have access to the rapid testing kits and so will staffers at nursing homes.
The county ordered the kits from American Biomedica, a New York-based company.