First responders with the Owensboro Fire Department and Daviess County Fire Department said they are still responding to all calls made across the city and county, but that they have issued some new protocols in responding to medical emergencies.
In following the CDC guidelines, there will be a screening process when evaluating patients during medical emergency runs.
OFD Chief James Howard said his firefighters will be limiting the number of responders who make patient contact during these runs so not as many first responders are at risk of contracting the virus.
“We’re used to doing everything as a team, and we can’t all rush in,” Howard said at a joint press conference earlier in the week. “Training has been cut back to focus on [the COVID-19 outbreak].”
OFD has also had to cut back on public education with schools being out and has cut back on fire station tours as well.
“We’re concerned about keeping up supplies of personal protection equipment and our workforce numbers [if we have any who have to quarantine],” he added.
DCFD Chief Jeremy Smith echoed similar statements, saying they were responding to all calls, but that they’d be taking extra precautions as well.
“If you see us coming in with a mask on, a gown, gloves — it doesn’t mean you have the virus,” Smith said. “You may just have symptoms, and we’re taking precautionary measures.”
Smith said he did not want to scare the public with these changes, but that they might be necessary for the coming weeks.
DCFD will also be taking the temperature of each firefighter before they enter the station, Smith said.
911 Director Paul Nave asked that the community not call 911 for questions regarding the coronavirus, but that if someone feels very sick and needs immediate assistance, first responders in dispatch would always be there to help him through a 911 call.
“We’ll be asking you questions that we normally don’t ask about your recent travel history and symptoms you’re having [during 911 calls],” Nave said.
—–
Click here for all of our coronavirus coverage.
The Owensboro Health coronavirus hotline is available 24/7 by calling 877-888-6647. Call the hotline before seeking in-person care. More information from OH can be found here.
For the latest information and data on COVID-19 in Kentucky visit kycovid19.ky.gov or dial the Kentucky state hotline at 800-722-5725.
For the latest health guidelines and resources from the CDC, visit their website here.
