By Kate Hamilton, Social Media Editor
The thought of wearing a mask simply for a few minutes inside a store can be hard for some to come to terms with. Now imagine having to wear a mask in 90-degree weather, while helping a patient. Or as a brisk fall wind swirls. In comparison, those couple of minutes inside an air-conditioned or heated building with a mask on don’t sound so dreadful.
Dare County Emergency Medical Service (EMS) personnel and members of local police and fire departments are working hard to keep everyone safe, but due to COVID-19, their jobs have become much more difficult.
From cleaning vehicles and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE) to patient care and working with the public, Dare County Emergency Services have had to implement new policies, making even simple tasks more complex.
“It can be stressful,” EMS Captain Julie Anderson said. “What we are doing now is a complete change for a lot of people that have been doing this job for a long time.”
There have been major modifications in EMS, especially regarding the PPE. While PPE was minimal for the majority of the calls before COVID-19, there is now an extensive list of equipment that has to be worn on every call: eye protection, N-99 masks and a gown. Any call with an aerosolized procedure must also include hair and boot protection along with the full PPE.
Police departments also have had to change their procedures, especially when overseeing the jail operations. With new policies in place, the Dare County Detention Center has a new cleaning routine that is completed several times a week. Officials utilize a cleaning machine to make the process easier and these methods have been proven to be very effective.
“Up to this day, we’ve been very fortunate and we have not had a single case,” Sheriff Doug Doughtie said in an interview with Nighthawk News in October.
The sheriff’s office is also in charge of security at the courthouse, and it can be difficult to get everything to run smoothly and timely.
“We have to change how many people can be put into the courtroom and it divides us up, and makes it a more lengthy process,” Doughtie said.
The sheriff’s office also has new cleaning procedures for police vehicles. After coming in contact with people, there are specific actions that are in place. All vehicles are sprayed down with Procure for disinfection.
“We do all the cleaning so that we can prevent them (people coming in contact with the first responders) from getting contaminated and that we don’t get contaminated,” Doughtie said.
It is recommended that first responders change their uniform and take a shower after their dispatch. This helps keep everyone safe and prevent any spread of germs.
EMS stations are equipped with washers and dryers that can be used for washing the uniforms. Implementing and following new policies and procedures is essential to preventing the spread of coronavirus to the public, employees and their families.
“It’s their choice if they change and take a shower, or at least change their clothes before they get home. This prevents them from bringing anything home with them,” Anderson said.
Junior Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22HamiltonKa86@daretolearn.org.
