CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Montgomery County Health Department continues its COVID-19 vaccinations at Civitan Park with several first responders receiving the first dose of the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday.

Along with healthcare workers and providers, Clarksville Police Chief David Crockarell, Clarksville Fire Rescue Chief Freddie Montgomery, and Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Service Deputy Chief Randy Steeley drove through to get the vaccine.

Clarksville Fire Chief Freddie Montgomery receives the COVID-19 vaccine on December 30. (Lee Erwin-Clarksville Now)
Police Chief David Crockarell receives COVID-19 vaccine on December 30, 2020. (Lee Erwin, Clarksville Now)
Montgomery County Deputy Fire Chief Randy Steeley receives the COVID-19 vaccine on Dec. 30, 2020. (Lee Erwin-Clarksville Now)

Crockarell said he was relieved to get the vaccine and grateful as a first responder to be one of the first to receive it.

“We’re not very comfortable being put in front of others,” he said. “It’s a mixed feeling: You kind of feel selfish because there’s plenty of people that may have needed the vaccine before us.”

But Crockarell added that he has seen what the officers and Emergency Medical Service personnel have been dealing with. “We can’t work from home. It’s essential our individuals get to work despite the virus, and it hasn’t been an easy task, but we have negotiated it well.”

He hopes that people seeing him get the vaccine will help put people at ease, too.

“I hope that voluntarily getting the shot today will inspire someone else to change their mind. I know people have their own opinions, and I respect that. I believe in science and I believe in faith,” Crockarell said.

Crockarell said his wife is a nurse and he knows the reality from her perspective and also knows the realities from out on the streets.

Montgomery said he felt good about getting the vaccine.

“Here at Clarksville Fire Rescue, we make close to 15,000 runs a year. We’re in people’s homes, we’re out on the side of the road with people during calls. To know that we can kind of lessen the chance of spreading it or getting It is a benefit to us,” he said.

Montgomery said he had confidence in the vaccine. “There’s a lot of information out there, and you just need to make sure you’re getting your information from the right sources,” he said.

Montgomery County Deputy Fire Chief Randy Steeley said he felt good about getting the vaccine.

“I’ve been fortunate not to have COVID yet, so I’ll go ahead and get the vaccine since COVID has ramped back up,” he said.