[HFDlist] COVID-19 Department Update

[Russ Hall]

All:

  As we progress further into the COVID-19 pandemic and the nationwide 
state of emergency, I wanted to thank you all for continuing to push 
forward the mission of the department by providing high level emergency 
services to the residents of the town.This has been unchartered 
territory for all of us and the guidance is ever changing.We continue to 
monitor information from the federal government, MEMA and MA DPH to 
ensure that we are a step ahead to protect all of our members.

  According to DPH, we are coming into what is termed the peak of the 
virus in Massachusetts over the next few weeks; hopefully the social 
distancing will slow the number of seriously ill patients that we 
encounter here in Holden.Please remember that your PPE is very important 
during this crisis and we are working on a daily basis to bolster our 
supply.On EMS responses, be cautious and have a high degree of suspicion 
even if dispatch advises that there is a negative response to the COVID 
questions.The state EMS Medical Director has reported that hospitals 
have been seeing patients who are presenting with different modalities 
than what has been reported and the symptoms may not always line up with 
the norm.We have recently added masks to the fire apparatus and members 
should be wearing these on fire responses when entering homes/commercial 
occupancies where SCBA is not indicated.We have ordered disinfectant 
solutions to disinfect the hard surfaces in the stations and for use in 
the ambulances and apparatus.

  For those that  have not seen it, I have attached a FAQ sheet that was 
put together by FF/EM Coordinator Montiverdi regarding the COVID-19 
virus.He has been constantly working and looking at all aspects of the 
pandemic and is a great resource for the department and the town.As we 
are in this for the long haul it seems, please stay vigilant in your 
daily functions and wear your PPE.

Be safe:

  Chief Hall

-- 
Russ Hall
Fire Chief/EMD
Holden Fire Dept.
1370 Main Street
Holden, MA 01520
508-210-5650

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