First responders staying safe during pandemic

With their main goal to keep staff safe.

He says through their dispatch, they’ve added a few extra questions related to COVID-19.

That will allow firefighters to understand what they may be attending and if COVID would be an issue when on scene.

Purcell says Alberta Health Services is the prime responders to respiratory issues.

But he says there are medical calls that the fire department would have to attend which could be COVID related.

He adds firefighters would attend wearing personal protective equipment similar to what AHS wears.

“We’ve had calls that have had possible COVID indications. And so we’ve addressed and support AHS as well in our calls so there have been opportunities in the last little while that we had to attend possible COVID issues.”

Purcell also reminds residents that staying at home is the best way to respond to the pandemic, adding, social distancing and washing hands are also key.

“If we’re not taking this seriously, we should be. The premier’s numbers should be shocking,” Purcell said.

Meantime, Inspector Brent Secondiak with Medicine Hat Police says they’ve changed a lot of processes in regards to meetings, reducing contact with people, and increased cleaning measures.

The service has four patrol teams for the police service and the city is broken into seven different areas.

“Plus our current strategy, it’s really more high profile than it has been in the past. You’ll see our officers at a lot of retail stores, a lot in the residential areas. And at night they’ll also be in residential areas and industrial areas. So thus far it’s been effective, we haven’t had any officer infected, that could change so we’re prepared for that.”

Secondiak says as of Wednesday morning, they have had 39 COVID related calls from the public.

Adding, those calls are mostly related to COVID-19 legalities and people wanting more information on the matter.

by Chantal Wagner

First responders staying safe during pandemic

Our Community