Ten Denver Firefighters Test Positive for Coronavirus
By Kieran Nicholson
Source The Denver Post
The Denver Fire Department on Monday reported 10 firefighters tested positive for coronavirus and are quarantined.
The fire department has 38 stations throughout the city, and it employs 1,040 firefighters, said Capt. Greg Pixley, a department spokesman.
Denver Fire, along with other departments throughout the state, is continuing measures to slow and prevent the spread of coronavirus, Pixley said.
RELATED:
“We are concerned about our people who have been exposed,” Pixley said. “We are not in a situation where this is compromising our ability to provide protection to the citizens of Denver.”
Last week Aurora Fire Rescue announced 25 firefighters were temporarily off the job because of coronavirus concerns.
The Denver Fire Department is using multiple new tactics because of the new coronavirus, including 9-1-1 call-takers asking specific questions to glean information on COVID-19 symptoms, so they cab pass it along to emergency responders.
"We’re taking every precaution we can to avoid exposure ,” Pixley said.
On scene firefighters continue to ask questions. They may make a cell phone call before entering a home or ask questions through a window or door before entering a room, Pixley said.
“We’re trying to use our best understanding of what each situation is: asymptomatic or symptomatic,” he said. “We protect ourselves before we are in a one-on-one situation with a patient.”
Gloves, gowns and masks are essential whether it’s “a best case or worse case scenario,” Pixley said.
Firefighters clean and wipe down equipment and materials that were exposed, deciding whether to decontaminate or to dispose of items, Pixley said. Firefighters shower after providing care.
“We have multiple layers” of protection, Pixley said. “Let’s hope that it’s allowing us to have limited numbers” of firefighters who contract COVID-19.
———
©2020 The Denver Post
Visit The Denver Post at www.denverpost.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
