Local dispatchers helping in the effort to protect first responders

PASCO, Wash.-- For about a week now, the Pasco Fire Department has closely tracked any medical calls where paramedics have contact with a patient who shows symptoms of cornavirus.

"We have different screening protocols at the dispatch center, and that's probably the big key to preventing an exposure," said Pasco Fire Chief Bob Gear. "We don't call it an exposure unless they encounter a patient without their personal protective equipment on. They're notified ahead of time if the patient meets the symptoms of COVID-19 and then they're sure to don their protective equipment outside before they enter a structure."

Gear says they typically only send one person inside to screen the patient, before the rest of the crew enters.

Gear says as of Monday morning, the Pasco Fire Department has transported 14 patients who had all three symptoms.

• Decreased oxygen saturation
• Dry cough
• Fever over 100

Gear says they're tracking those patients, and tracking what crew members were on those calls so that if they develop symptoms in the future they can trace the possible illness to a specific call/

Two paramedics and one fire fighter have been tested for COVID-19. Two tests have come back negative, and a the third test is pending.

Gear says fire stations are now cleaned twice a day, up from the usual once a day, and crews are being more thorough when cleaning ambulances and equipment.

"We transport a lot of people with other communicable diseases, like tuberculosis, hepatitis, things like that, that we encounter on a regular basis," Gear said.

The fire chief says he understands that crews are feeling added stress because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"It always bothers me a little when I think that my guys are in more danger than they normally would be, but we're trying to do everything we can to help them and keep them on the job."