Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department EMT Billy Birmingham is a beloved man, which is apparent from his large family and those he impacted over his 22 years as an EMT.
Two of his children spoke on Tuesday at a memorial in his honor after he died Monday from COVID-19 complications.
"My heart goes out to him andhisfamily"Octavia StandleyDaughter"Our daddy gave his life in theline ofduty and we are so proud ofhim."A PUBLIC FAREWELL ANDTHANK YOU -- FOR TFIRST LOCAL E-M-T TO DIEFROM COVID-19.THE CITY TURNED ON TFIREFIGHTER MEMORIALFOUNTAIN JUST HOURSAGO TO HONOR THE LIFEOF "BILLY BIRMINGHAM."41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER SARAH PLAKEHEARD FROMBIRMINGHAM'S FAMILYTODAY.Billy Birmingham is such aloved man, apparent from hislarge family and all those htouched over his 22 years asan EMT.His family wanted to tell us alittle bit more about the manthey admire so mucWhen it comes to my father Ithink the word that has beenexpressed the most isselflessness.Billy Birmingham died as helived, his family says - givingto others.He impacted many peopleduring his life as a father,minister, and during his 22year career as an EMTKansas City.We just love him and we justwant everybody to know hewasn't just somebody that wasdoing a job to get a paycheck.He did his job because heloved it.he had a heart and a call forpeople and I think anybodywho chooses to be afirefighter paramedic policeofficer Dr. Nurse, you have tohave a heart for people.Birmingham was sick for threeweeks before passing awayfrom complications related tocoronavirus on Monday.The highway was shut downas the fire department, policedepartment, and familyescorted Birmingham to thefuneral home.On Tuesday, the city turned onthe firefighters memorialfountain in his honoBilly did not lose his life, hegave his life in service to thiscommunity.
He is truly a hertruly our friend.
Like i said,wewill miss him, we love him,love his family.
We will nevforget his service, yourcommitment to this city and tothis fire department and to thisunion.Our daddy gave his life in tline of duty and we are soproud of him.
We are so proudof him.
We are so proud ofhim..Sarah Plake 41 action news.THIS AFTERNOON -- WEASKED MISSOURIGOVERNOR MIKE PARSONIF HIS OFFICE IS REXAMINING WHETHERDEPARTMENTS HAVEADEQUATE P-P-E.HE SAID EVERYONE ISTRYING TO DOEVERYTHING POSSIBLE.Gov.
Mike Parson/Missouri"every state, every one in thecountryis fighting that battle tryingto get thatout there.
And we're just goingtohave to do the best we can togetthat gear to our first linerespondersand we'll continue to do that.It's justgoing to be unfortunate.
You
KCFD: "We are going to do our very best."