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WATCH: Local first responders hold parade to support Chief battling COVID-19

CLINTON COUNTY — A local fire chief, who is recovering from COVID-19, was brought to tears Sunday afternoon when his coworkers held a parade outside his home to show their support.

Michele Whipple told News Center 7′s Katy Andersen that her husband, Charles Whipple, was diagnosed with COVID-19 in mid-October. Whipple is the Fire Chief at Wester Chester Township’s Fire Department in Clinton County. Michele said her husband struggled with respiratory issues, fevers, and fatigue, and hasn’t been able to go to work for more than two weeks.

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Sunday afternoon, as Whipple was sitting on his front porch, his coworkers surprised him by holding a parade along his street. Several fire trucks and ambulances turned on their lights and honked their horns as they drove by Whipple’s home. Michele filmed the parade and then her husband’s reaction.

My heart is so over filled with blessing with my firefighters and Emts. Our chief was sick with Got pretty Covid for 2 weeks and had to even go to hospital, he’s kind of guy that doesn’t like people to know he sick because he don’t want people to worry. He wants to Do things for others instead 💜 This Dept stepped up and got trucks out the door and things took care of while he was gone and helped him the best they could. There were several that dropped off food at door step, text, phone calls to check on him and then this drive by ..... omgooodness when they did this his heart was just over whelmed ... he just kept saying “you don’t know how much that means to me “ I Am so proud of my Guys at Chester Twp fire Department. We may not be the perfect department in some eyes and may have flaws a work in progress to some ....but you know they have ❤️ heart and each other in mind They try there best and do all they can to help others. See we can’t help Anyone I don’t believe if we FIRST don’t start with that thing called “ Compassion” I know my guys have! Thanks guys all of you even the ones that wanted to be there !💙❤️

Posted by Michele Whipple on Sunday, November 1, 2020

“They did that because they love you,” Michele said to Charles as he cried. “They’ve been planning that for you.”

Michele said she and her husband will forever cherish that moment.

Charles is looking forward to returning to work this week, but Michele said he will be on ‘light-duty’ because he has to build back his strength.


Katy Andersen

Katy Andersen

I joined WHIO's team in September 2019. You can catch me on News Center 7 when I anchor Saturdays at 6 a.m., 8 a.m. and Noon, Sundays at 6 and 11 p.m., and while I am reporting during the week.

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