While residents of Marin are staying home amid the coronavirus pandemic, police, firefighters and paramedics continue to serve — and they’re adapting to limit the spread of COVID-19.
“Our firefighters put themselves in between the public and all kinds of risks,” said Novato fire Chief Bill Tyler, president of the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association. “A pandemic of this magnitude is something that no one wanted, but we’re seeing our first responders rising to meet the challenge.”
However, there are safety concerns in the firefighter community, said John Bagala, president of the Marin Professional Firefighters, the local branch of the International Firefighters Association.
There are 417 firefighters at 35 stations across Marin, according to the association. So far, there have been at least 23 instances reported to the association where a firefighter was possibly exposed to the virus and quarantined, Bagala said.
Of those, only one firefighter met the criteria for testing. Results came back negative, Bagala said. Most of the other affected firefighters have been cleared to return to work.
“First and foremost, our people are seeing exposure at many times the rate of a lay person,” Bagala said. “We don’t have the ability to work from home. We’ve got to be where it’s the worst, where there are potentially large groups of sick people.”
With that in mind, authorities have set up a protocol for Marin dispatchers to determine, before first responders arrive, whether the patient might be infected with the coronavirus. Dispatchers ask if the patient has traveled to affected areas, has come into contact with someone who was infected or has a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms. Callers to 911 are encouraged to speak up if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
If a patient is suspected as a carrier, the responding team will send in only one staffer in full protective garb to interview the patient from a 6-foot distance. The protective gear includes eyewear, a mask, a gown and gloves.
Depending on the situation, the full team might be called in to help. If that’s the case, all members dress in the protective gear.
Due to a national shortage of gear, Bagala said, firefighters are forced to use suboptimal equipment or reuse items designed for a single use.
“Our firefighters are being exposed more frequently, the protective equipment is less than ideal and they live with each other in a shared space,” Bagala said. “It’s kind of the perfect storm.”
Tyler said the demand for protective equipment is “far outpacing the available supply,” but all Marin agencies are fully equipped for now. He said firefighters will be asked to reuse the equipment if it appears they were not exposed to the virus while wearing it.
“We want to make sure that those firefighters are as protected as possible so we can continue to deliver the high level of care to the public,” Tyler said.
Marin County fire Chief Jason Weber said firefighters are working under “unprecedented circumstances.” He said the county fire department and other agencies are limiting public interaction to phone calls and emergencies, and home fire inspections have been canceled.
“Our first responders are on the front lines of this thing and they continue to maintain a positive attitude, completely dedicated to the mission,” Weber said. “They’re putting themselves out there and it’s because we all realize this is a service we cannot afford to do without.”
San Rafael police Lt. Dan Fink said, “It’s times like these that are the reason we became public safety members.”
“This is one of those times when the chips are down and the community is going to be looking to the authorities and the government and we’re up for the task,” he said.
The San Rafael Police Department and other law enforcement agencies have closed their lobbies but have their non-emergency phone lines open. If someone needs to report a crime, Fink said, officers will take reports over the phone rather than go to the scene, unless it’s an emergency or evidence needs to be collected.
The Central Marin Police Authority is operating similarly, said Margo Rohrbacher, spokeswoman for the agency. She encouraged residents to read the FAQ sheet on the “shelter in place” order provided by the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services. That information is available at coronavirus.marinhhs.org/.
“We’re practicing social distancing out in the field,” Rohrbacher said. “We’re just being extra mindful.”
Marin County sheriff’s Sgt. Brenton Schneider said the safety of the community is top of mind for everyone in public service.
“This is a pandemic like we’ve never seen before, but we’re doing our best to adhere to the social distancing and providing that same level of service,” he said.