Susquehanna Hose Company Makes Request During Coronavirus Crisis

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — During emergencies, the Susquehanna Hose Company responds to calls for help. Now its firefighters are asking residents in Havre de Grace to help keep them safe.

Recently, the Susquehanna Hose Company addressed a letter to the citizens of Havre de Grace outlining how community members can protect their firefighters from the new coronavirus.

"Elsewhere, there have been entire fire companies quarantined after they have responded to quarantined homes and were not alerted before entering," the hose company reported. "Those first responders are now unavailable to help anyone for at least 14 days."

A crew in Howard County was exposed to a person at a nursing home last weekend who tested positive for the new coronavirus. Afterward, six members of the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services had to self-quarantine.

"In our department, we cannot afford to have this happen and being VOLUNTEER we do not want to have to take it home to our families," the Susquehanna Hose Company wrote in a letter to the community, posted on its social media channels.

"To the Residents of the Havre de Grace: Our department is asking you to please follow these precautions during the COVID-19 outbreak," officials said, outlining how people can keep their first responders safe:

• "If you are quarantined (mandatory or self imposed) in your home due to possible or confirmed COVID-19 exposure, PLEASE notify 911 when you call and advise the dispatcher," the hose company said.
• "We also ask that you place a sign/note on your front door to alert our firefighters to take infection-prevention precautions before entering your home or business," the Susquehanna Hose Company said, if people are quarantined inside.

"We need to protect our crews so that they will be able to continue to meet the emergency needs of the community," the hose company said. "Thank you for your understanding!"

Susquehanna Hose Company Chief Scott Hurst said no firefighters had been exposed to the new coronavirus during fire calls as of Friday night. To keep them safe from the spread of the virus, 911 dispatchers are screening people for the illness when they make contact using a series of questions. Hurst said crews have also been carrying protective equipment on fire trucks.

"It all depends on what the call is for," Hurst said of what may be used. For incidents involving emergency medical services, Hurst told Patch crews have additional protective equipment such as "gowns, surgical masks and sometimes an N95 mask."

Firefighters will be wearing gloves, eye protection and face masks on all EMS calls, the hose company reported Saturday. For persons under investigation for the new coronavirus, they will wear gowns and N95 masks as well.

There were five cases of the coronavirus in Harford County as of Friday, according to state health data. County Executive Barry Glassman disputed the number, saying one was an address error made by a laboratory and there were actually four coronavirus cases in Harford County.

See Also:

• Harford County Coronavirus Count Rises To 5 Cases
• Maryland Coronavirus Cases Rise, Largest One-Day Increase Yet

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a virus that can lead to fever, cough or shortness of breath. Most people who are infected with coronavirus will experience mild or no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More severe complications include pneumonia, organ failure and death, the CDC reports.

The virus spreads mainly from person to person who are in close contact (with less than 6 feet between them) and through respiratory droplets when a person coughs or sneezes, according to the CDC.

The CDC advises doing the following to stop the spread of the virus:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If this is not available, use hand sanitizer that is at least 60 percent alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Keep 6 feet of space between people.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The CDC has put together a coronavirus disease situation summary for more about the illness.

For more information, visit the Maryland Department of Health's coronavirus page.