The community has had COVID-19 on its mind and how could it not. However we might not be thinking about how different organizations have been adjusting to the current condition. Scott W. Adams, the Director of Operations for Gold Cross Ambulance, has shared what the local EMT service is doing to stay ahead of COVID-19. Staff starts their shift wiping down the ambulances and quick response vehicle, both in the cab and in the patient compartment. They will follow the same procedure after each call so everything is disinfected for the next call. To ensure public safety there is a double screening process for COVID-19. The first screening takes place at the time of a 911 call and the other is when EMS staff arrives on site and screens again before any close contact is made. Alerting first responders allows them to be prepared and then the First Responders can alert the receiving facility. Further precautionary steps include donning additional Personal Protective Equipment, following CDC guidelines for self screening, and the common sense practices of hand washing, not touching the face, and disinfecting hard surfaces. Adams states, “I am very impressed with ALL of our staff. They are very diligent with these precautions so that they can serve our community with the highest of standards. My wish for the public is that they adhere to the social distancing guidelines set forth from the CDC and TriCounty Health Department. Both Community, Health Department and EMS are a team, Together we can save lives.”
