Erich Scheunemann and Alan Jinich
Recorded
June 14, 2025
34:23 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id:
ddv002852
Description
Erich Scheunemann (54) has a conversation with StoryCorps facilitator Alan Jinich (25) about his pandemic experience and role as Deputy Chief for the Anchorage Fire Department.Subject Log / Time Code
[Track 1] Participants introduce themselves.
[Track 2] Erich Scheunemann (ES) talks about his family's background and how he ended up in Alaska working in emergency medical services.
ES talks about a training course he took to help support people with PTSD. He also describes his expertise in responding to infectious disease before the pandemic started.
ES remembers hearing about COVID before any positive cases were confirmed in the United States and the culture of hoarding at supermarkets.
ES talks about how the Anchorage Fire Department prepared for outbreaks despite not having enough PPE.
ES talks about pandemic lockdowns and how the fire department's call volume initially went down.
ES says the biggest challenges they faced were related to the supply chain and misinformation about the virus, especially over social media.
ES talks about the innovation of the mRNA vaccine and the anti-vax response.
ES talks about the lack of safety and mental health support in the fire department.
ES describes the burnout he experienced from the pandemic years.
ES describes the geographic isolation that made the pandemic particularly difficult in Alaska.
ES gives advice to future generations.
Participants
- Erich Scheunemann
- Alan Jinich