Harford First Responders Ready For 'Invisible Enemy': Coronavirus

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Emergency personnel in Harford County may be wearing additional gear as more people test positive for the new coronavirus in the state.

"Fire and EMS personnel are working though this ever evolving invisible enemy," Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association spokesman Rich Gardiner said.

Crews in Harford County have always used protective equipment like nitrile gloves, according to Gardiner. Now, if there is a person under investigation for the new coronavirus, they will add a gown, face mask and eye protection.

There are 288 cases of the virus in Maryland as of 10 a.m. Monday, according to the state health department. Cases have been reported in 21 of the state's 24 jurisdictions. The only areas that have not had positive results for COVID-19 are Allegany, Dorchester and Kent counties, the Maryland Department of Health reports.

So far, five people have been confirmed to have the virus in Harford County, the Maryland Department of Health reports as of Monday morning.

To help identify whether first responders may be stepping into a situation where they are exposed, 911 dispatchers are screening callers.

"When people call 911 for EMS and even fire assistance they now are asked additional questions that will give rise to added precaution," Gardiner said.

Questions include whether anyone in the household has a fever or a cough, and they will be asked whether it is a fire or medical call.

"These additional questions are critical to our response planning, and we trust callers will be patient with the call taker and answer all the questions honestly," Gardiner said. "It is critical to the safety of our crews and the person they are there to assist."

Sometimes hourly, he said, procedures change based on the latest guidance from public health officials, and then there are conference calls among the senior leadership to plan accordingly.

"This is an entirely new uncharted territory we are working through," Gardiner said. "Unprecedented."

There is a way residents can help.

"We need everyone's cooperation," Gardiner said. "Stay home, practice good hygiene, don't touch your face, cough into your elbow and practice social distancing."

See Also:

• Harford County Declares State Of Emergency Due To Coronavirus
• Harford County Coronavirus Count Rises To 5 Cases