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Posts Tagged 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19 (more)

Oct 30

Posted by Admin in Coronavirus, CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

A somber ceremony honored Mario Araujo, the first Chicago firefighter EMT to die from the coronavirus. His colleagues saluted, his family was honored as they and mourn a loss due to COVID-19 that thousands of others have endured in our state.

Inside the fire academy, Araujo’s mother and family watched his badge, number 5186, be enshrined in the building itself, his sacrifice honored. And it’s not just at the training academy. Araujo is now also honored along the lakefront at the firefighter EMT memorial for all to see. His name is now etched in brick alongside his fallen brother and sister firefighters, now forever part of the city he loved.

From CFD media on Twitter:

Firefighter/EMT Mario Araujo was honored today at the Quinn Fire Academy. FF Araujo was the first member of CFD to succumb to the deadly coronavirus in April. Mario’s service and dedication will always be remembered.

brick to honor the memory of fallen Chicago Firefighter/EMT Mario Araujo

CFD Media photo

CFD Media photo
CFD Media photo
CFD Media photo
CFD Media photo
CFD Media photo

[Show slideshow]

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Chicago Fire Department news

Aug 18

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from abc7chicago.com:

The Chicago fire academy is closed until further notice after an apparent COVID-19 outbreak impacting both students and instructors. Officials said they are working to determine the source of the outbreak at the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy, located at 558 W. De Koven Street in the South Loop. It’s not clear how long the building will be shut down. Officials have not said exactly how many people tested positive for COVID-19, but there are multiple cases. Those individuals are now in isolation and none require hospitalization. For now, the other trainees will participate in remote instruction. The facility will undergo a deep cleaning. 

Just last week, the department released a public service message urging people to take the virus seriously by wearing masks. Since the beginning of the pandemic, officials said there have been close to 300 cases of COVID-19 within the Chicago Fire Department. The virus took the lives of two department veterans, firefighters Mario Araujo and Edward Singleton. Both died in April.

Full statement from Chicago Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford:

“The health and safety of Chicago’s firefighters, paramedics and recruits are our utmost priority. That is why following multiple confirmed COVID-19 cases at the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy, the Department has temporarily suspended training at the facility while we work to thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire facility. Furthermore, the Department will clean all employees’ work areas and any vehicles and equipment used. To prevent the spread of COVID-19 in all facilities, the Department continues to work with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CPDH) to ensure social distancing and public health guidelines are strictly enforced and that all individuals abide by them. The current class of recruits will continue their training through remote learning. All individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 will remain in isolation while any close contacts will quarantine. No individuals who have tested positive have required hospitalization, and we will continue to monitor their condition. The Department will provide an update when training resumes in the facility.”

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19

May 29

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Service News | Comments off

Excerpts from the riponadvance.com:

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos called on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to temporarily expand the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program to include firefighters already on payroll. Currently, the SAFER program has a requirement that funding be used only to hire new firefighters at the equivalent cost of a first-year firefighter, which normally would assist a station getting up to required staffing levels with fresh talent.

The members also noted that Congress has given FEMA the authority to waive certain FY19 SAFER requirements, as has memoranda provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

“As you consider additional waivers, we encourage you to waive the FY19 SAFER grant spending requirement on new firefighter hires only,” according to their letter.

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19

May 22

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Service News | 2 Comments

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Cook County Board commissioners voted 9-7 with one member abstaining from a resolution which would direct the Cook County Department of Public Health to disclose locations of those testing positive for the coronavirus with 911 dispatchers in suburban Cook County every day for two months.

While the measure is only a recommendation, the Cook County Department of Public Health will follow the address-sharing practice because of the board’s instructions. That’s in spite of the public health co-administrator’s warning before the vote that the practice was inadequate and dangerous for both citizens and first responders emergency personnel.

The county board president said that it guaranteed the address-sharing plan would contribute to the systemic racism that black and Latino communities suffer. One commissioner said the resolution could backfire, as there are scores of residents who may have not sought testing because they are asymptomatic and that every individual that law enforcement comes into contact with should be treated as a COVID-19-positive case. Her position was supported by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The measure comes after a legal challenge to instate address-sharing was shot down. Earlier this month, a northwest suburban 911 dispatch system failed in its bid to force Cook County to share addresses of coronavirus patients on Friday after a judge denied its temporary restraining order. But the judge did grant the Village of Lincolnwood’s motion to intervene and set another hearing for early June.

The Illinois attorney general advised that address-sharing is permissible due to a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) exception, but he did not go so far as to recommend the practice.

Much of the Thursday board meeting’s public comment section was centered around the resolution, with suburban villages, police departments, and fire departments urging the need for address-sharing amid PPE shortages, and dozens of individuals and civil rights groups, including the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, saying it would lead to harm.

The board also took the opportunity to censure President Donald Trump’s administration for what they described as a failure to deliver enough PPE for first responders emergency personnel that they said led them to the controversial address-sharing proposal.

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As seen around … Summit

May 20

Posted by Admin in Fire Truck photos | 2 Comments

From the Summit FD Facebook page:

Blue Angels over Summit

Blue Angels over Summit

Summit FD Facebook page

Blue Angels over Summit

Summit FD Facebook page

Blue Angels over Summit

Summit FD Facebook page

Blue Angels over Summit

Summit FD Facebook page

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Fire service news

May 15

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

Excerpts from IAFC.org:

In the middle of a pandemic that has taken the lives of 26 firefighters, the nation is losing more firefighters. COVID-19 related budget cuts — in communities large and small – have resulted in the layoff or furlough of at least 935 fire department employees, including front-line firefighters, EMTs & paramedics. This new data comes from an International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) survey that also projects as many as 30,000 fire department jobs lost this year and next.

The pandemic’s impact goes beyond paid, career firefighters. Donations to volunteer fire departments are down due to high unemployment. Key fundraising events are cancelled because of stay-at-home orders. It’s expected COVID-19 cuts will force some volunteer departments to close, leaving entire communities without nearby fire and emergency medical services.

The IAFC is asking Congress and The White House to help offset these losses with a request of $10 billion that will go directly to the nation’s fire departments. Two very successful grant programs authorized by Congress years ago are the most efficient means to quickly get help to communities facing the loss of fire protection and emergency medical services.

One program, Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response Grants (SAFER), has been operating since 2003. SAFER helps career and volunteer departments maintain front-line firefighter staffing. Since 2000, Assistance for Firefighters Grants (AFG) has provided critically needed resources to equip and train emergency personnel. Each year, members of Congress proudly announce these grants for fire departments in their states and districts. It has never been more needed than now.

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19

May 13

Posted by Admin in Fire Service News | Comments off

From Los Angeles County Firefighters Pipes and Drums:

On April 2nd, our band members joined the Colorado Emerald SocietyPipes and Drums in playing a tune at sunset to signal the end of another day of battle against COVID-19.

Historically, the Great Highland Bagpipes have been played at sunset to instill courage, hope, and solidarity during battle.

Tonight we present a compilation video of our performances from #saferathome.

Please SHARE our song of perseverance as we remain #allinthistogether and honor ALL our fellow essential workers on the front line.

#SunsetSolidarity
#pipersforsundownsolidarity

 

https://www.facebook.com/lacoffpipesanddrums/videos/737161777025311/

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19, Elgin Fire Department

May 6

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

A third Elgin firefighter tested positive for COVID-19. One firefighter is under quarantine at a hotel where the city reserved a block of rooms for personnel that allows them to keep their family safe from any possible exposure.  Two other firefighters chose to isolate at home.

Over the last few weeks, the Elgin Fire Department has had seven firefighters who’ve been isolated due to possible exposure to COVID-19. Only those who showed symptoms were tested.  The test results are available within 24 hours, and the positive cases came back April 23, April 30, and May 1.

The fire department has notified its employees and has recommended that they stay home should they begin to feel ill. Shifts are being covered with overtime if needed.

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19

May 5

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19) | Comments off

Excerpts from EMS1.com:

Recently published results of a survey of EMS providers from across the U.S. revealed inconsistent protocols, policies, and training related to COVID-19 response could be contributing to the spread of the virus.  

Researchers published preliminary results of their study this week, with the goal to investigate available resources, PPE availability, sanitation practices, institutional policies and opinions of EMS providers through a self-reported survey.  

The results, which reflect provider responses from all 50 states, revealed: 

  • Limited access to N95 respirators 
  • Little or no benefits for COVID-19-related work 
  • No institutional policy on social distancing practices 

For those who did report having access to N95 respirators, 31% reported using the same mask for one week or longer.   In addition, the survey revealed that one-third of those responding were unclear as to when a COVID-19 patient is infectious, as well as a lack of decontamination consistency across agencies.  

The research team concluded from the study that the industry would benefit from a nationally established COVID-19 EMS response protocol, as well as further investigation on whether current EMS practices are contributing to the spread of infection. 

For information about COVID-19 policies and protocols that can be adapted for any fire or EMS department, visit the Lexipol COVID-19 Learning and Policy Center.  

Read the full results of the study here.  

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Fire service news – Coronavirus COVID-19

Apr 30

Posted by Admin in CORONAVIRUS DISEASE 2019 (COVID-19), Fire Department News | Comments off

Excerpts from Chicago.cbslocal.com:

Some Chicago firefighters and paramedics will now be tested for coronavirus before and after work at specific firehouses. It begins today at two firehouses.

At least nine Chicago Fire Department members who work at the firehouse at 71st and Parnell have tested positive for COVID-19, and there may be more. “Hot” houses like that one are prompting the city and CFD to start shift change testing for the illness as a way to keep it from spreading as department cases keep rising. Several firehouses fit the “hot” criteria, including those at O’Hare and Midway. The firefighters’ union bought thermometers for every firehouse recently as an added symptom check layer.

In addition to firehouse testing, effective this week, all CFD firefighters are required to wear masks in rigs and firehouses.

Currently 151 department members have tested positive for COVID-19. 82 of those have recovered and are back to work, and 31 members are in self-quarantine.

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