William “Brad” Blackman, a 56-year-old Swarthmore paramedic, died Monday from complications of COVID-19, writes Pete Bannan for the Daily Times.
He likely contracted the virus from his work as a paramedic, it was reported.
Blackman was instrumental in developing an EMS program at Swarthmore and helped procure its first ambulance. He served 37 years as a firefighter-EMT at Swarthmore,
He had several ranks during his career, including ambulance captain.
He has also worked as a paramedic at Crozer and Riddle hospitals.
He most recently worked with American Medical Response, receiving a commendation for saving a man’s life who had tried to jump from a bridge.
“Paramedic William “Brad” Blackman was our colleague, our friend, our family. We are all heartbroken at a wonderful life taken too soon. Rest easy, Brad, we’ll take it from here,” wrote officials on the American Medical Response Facebook page.
Blackman had participated several times in the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride which honors the lives of EMS providers who have died in the line of service.
At least one other Delaware County paramedic has succumbed from COVID-19 illnesses; Mercy Fitzgerald Paramedic Kevin Bundy died from the virus in April.
Read more about William “Brad” Blackman here.
