Emergency crews adapt to pandemic

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Essential workers, like firefighters, EMTs and police officers, have continued to respond to emergency calls throughout the pandemic. But now that it has progressed for nearly a year, the way these essential workers handle situations and train has changed.

“We have gowns. We have face shields. We even have equipment now where if we’re conducting CPR, we’ve got HEPA filters we apply to our ventilation bags to further limit any of those aerosolized products,” said Ryan Alexander with the Salinas Fire Department.

They also work with dispatch to know what to expect when they get to a scene, especially if they’ve responded before.

“When we go out to calls, we can usually get information from those calls, put it into our computers, so that if we were to respond again, we have better information, like, maybe it’s better to go through the back door of a nursing home so that we’re limiting the spread of COVID-19,” Alexander said.

As protocols from health officials change, they give their crews training updates over Zoom and if they have to meet in person, they conduct trainings with just a few people wearing masks and social distancing.

Despite a surge in cases and risks that come with the virus, first responders, both firefighters and police, told KION they must continue to do their jobs for the community, especially now.

“Like that example you used for CPR, we have to respond quickly, we have to respond efficiently and we have to do the same level of care that we did before COVID-19,” Alexander said.

“Even with the uptick, we’re keeping to the same protocols,” Marina Police Department Commander Donna White said. “If we have to make an arrest, we have to make sure that the person arrested is wearing a mask. Within the department, everybody wears a mask.”

Firefighters are taking these precautions, but said they also need help from the community to wear a mask or get to a safe, well-ventilated location if they call 911 for the safety of everyone.