SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — First responders in the Valley are preparing, as they run the risk of being exposed to the Coronavirus when responding to calls.
The Scottsdale Fire Department has implemented changes to serve the public from a distance as best they can. Firefighters have been practicing social distancing rules for the past month, in an effort to stay safe.
After all, they don’t know the extent of what they’re up against until they come in to contact with the person they’re helping.
“Things are tremendously different,” said Battalion Chief Dwayne Bader of the Scottsdale Fire Department.
He says they’re taking extra precautionary measures to stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
“The biggest thing is the social distancing… when we’re in the station or when we’re on calls, to maintain our distance at all times,” he said.
Bader says the changes won’t affect patient care or treatment, but they do change how the crews prepare for calls.
“To make sure that the COVID-19 does not spread,” he said. “The guys are keeping that distance, while they’re getting on the truck and then when they get on the truck, they’re donning all of their PPE, their personal protective equipment… their eye wear, to masks, to gowns, gloves."
On calls, they’re practicing what they call 2 in 2 out.
“Two individuals are fully PPE’d, they’ve got all their PPE on,” he said. “They are going inside, and they are evaluating the patient. If they need assistance, the two other firefighters which are standing in a safe distance, will don all their PPE and then they will come in and assist them.”
If the feel the call could be coronavirus related, they decontaminate each other at the call.
“Once they get to the hospital, they will do more decon for the equipment,” he said.
Once they get back to the station, they shower, change out of their uniforms and wash them. They’re continually keeping the fire station kitchen, bunk rooms and day rooms as clean as possible.
“Disinfectants, the sanitizers, soap and water on some stuff,” he said.
They’re also limiting their public interaction, so they’re not scheduling any school talks or scheduling any station visits right now.
“To make sure that we don’t end up back in this as a nation, we are keeping our distance, at a safe distance,” said Bader.
The Scottsdale Fire Department will continue to operate with the new changes until further notice.
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