New York City could soon be placed under a “shelter-in-place” order to contain the coronavirus — here’s what it would mean for the Big Apple’s 8.6 million residents.
Under the strict public health measure, all non-essential businesses would be shut down. That means only police and fire departments, hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies and perhaps gas stations, banks and laundromats would remain open. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Post
The head of a local union is concerned that not enough is being done to protect firefighters and the public during the coronavirus outbreak.
Ralph Sicuro, president of the International Association of Firefighters Pittsburgh Local 1, says they are already seeing how fast the virus can spread.
Sicuro tells KDKA additional protective gear was given out like masks and gowns, but the firefighters do not feel it is enough protection. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KDKA-TV CBS 2 Pittsburgh
VIDEO: The novel coronavirus is changing the way first responders with the Orange County Fire Authority respond to calls.
Crews demonstrated what it will look like in a mock call Tuesday.
If it doesn't put a life at risk, dispatchers will screen callers. For patients showing symptoms of novel coronavirus, crews will wear their personal protective equipment. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles
The death of Cowlitz 2 battalion chief Mickel Zainfeld has prompted local agencies and grassroots groups to boost efforts to help firefighters, police and other first responders cope with the emotional trauma of their jobs.
And one way may be for both them and the public to tone down the superhero image they bear. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Daily News
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic, Old Fourth Distillery has been distributing make-shift bottles of hand sanitizer.
Starting today they are shifting their efforts and giving back to those on the front lines.
Co-Owner of Old Fourth Distillery Jeff Moore has been making hand sanitizer with their own in-house alcohol. - PUB DATE: 3/18/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WGCL-TV CBS 46 Atlanta
VIDEO: “Three, two, one,” counted down a researcher with N.C. State University’s Wilson College of Textiles. With a click, flames ignited and scorched a firefighter’s helmet, protective hood and turn out gear.
It’s how the state is fighting cancer with fire power.
Data gathered from the mannequin, which is armed with sensors and better known at N. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WLOS-TV ABC 13 Asheville
Leaders of several Cleveland suburbs are making plans that could see them share police officers and firefighters in the event of a coronavirus outbreak in their departments.
Officials from Lyndhurst, Richmond Heights, Highland Heights, Mayfield Heights and Mayfield Village met Friday in Lyndhurst for a preliminary discussion about sharing resources if a coronavirus outbreak impacts them. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Cleveland.com
After the first case of covid-19, the disease caused by the new strain of coronavirus, was announced in the United States, reports of further infections trickled in slowly. Two months later, that trickle has turned into a steady current.
This so-called exponential curve has experts worried. If the number of cases were to continue to double every three days, there would be about a hundred million cases in the United States by May. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Washington Post - Metered Site
The quarantining of three firefighters who responded to Alaska’s first confirmed case of the coronavirus came out of caution, not because of a lapse, Anchorage’s fire chief said Monday.
The firefighters, who responded to a 911 call about the case last week, took standard measures to protect against infectious disease, said Chief Jodie Hettrick. - PUB DATE: 3/17/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Public Media News
Even in cities with big hospitals, the novel coronavirus is testing the limits of the modern health care system. But fighting the virus in rural Alaska presents additional challenges: Some of Alaska’s remote villages can be 100 miles from the nearest hospital, and many are disconnected from the road system and only reachable by plane. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alaska Public Media News
A South Florida elected official is facing some backlash from emergency workers after he appeared to propose exposing firefighters to the new coronavirus as a way of ensuring there are more people with immunity to help fight the spread of the disease.
Miami Beach Commissioner Ricky Arriola on Friday at an emergency city meeting asked if there were doctors in the audience. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: South Florida Sun Sentinel - Metered Site
The IAFC is continuing to monitor the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) inside the United States. As your agency likely is preparing to care for potential patients and protect firefighters and EMS personnel from exposures, please know that the IAFC stands with you and is ready to help.
In addition to continuously updating the Coronavirus resources page, the IAFC Coronavirus Task Force held their first meeting last week. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: IAFC.org
When the call came across the pagers, there was something in the dispatcher’s voice that signaled it was serious.
“Her voice sounded distressed.”
“I knew I had to put on real clothes for this one.”
“You could tell the panic in the page.”
“We could hear it, the seriousness, but the average person probably wouldn’t. - PUB DATE: 3/16/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Alexandria Echo Press
Concerned about the effects of coming into contact with the coronavirus, unions representing firefighters, paramedics, nurses and hospital workers are asking lawmakers to act on their behalf.
As workers on the front lines of the epidemic, the unions said they want assurances — perhaps requiring additional legislation — that their benefits won’t be exhausted if they contract COVID-19 or miss work because they’re under quarantine after coming into contact with people with coronavirus. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Fighting fires is no easy task. The work is often intense and physical. But that's not stopping about 10,000 women from joining their male counterparts on the front lines. Except, there is one big difference: their gear.
With every zip, pull of a boot, and tug of a coat, the volunteer firefighters of Chaires and Capitola prepare themselves for the toughest of fires. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WCTV CBS 6 Thomasville
Ed Parkinson today was named by the FirstNet Authority Board as executive director—operationally, the chief executive officer (CEO)—for the FirstNet Authority, becoming the organization’s third full-time staff leader and its first in more than 17 months.
FirstNet Authority Board Chair Ed Horowitz said that Parkinson was selected at the conclusion of a “comprehensive and thorough search” to lead the FirstNet Authority staff. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Urgent Communications
With Engine Company 11 set to be decommissioned on March 22, some residents and city councilors are still fighting to keep it running.
At Thursday night’s City Council meeting, Councilor-at-large Brian Gomes submitted a petition to the council with 1,164 signatures in support of keeping Station 11 open. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Standard-TImes
The Department of Public Safety of Newark, N.J., is warning residents they could be prosecuted for falsely reporting coronavirus cases in the city.
The city’s public safety director, Anthony Ambrose, cautioned Newark residents against posting false information about cases on social media, saying it can cause “unnecessary public alarm. - PUB DATE: 3/13/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Hill
VIDEO: Dr. Christopher Bosche was 44 when he died on Sept. 12th, 2017. His 3-year battle with cancer was linked to exposure while responding to Ground Zero following the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
State Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) said Bosche is one of three first responders from Missouri who died from illnesses linked to their response to 9/11. - PUB DATE: 3/12/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTVI-TV FOX 2 St. Louis
PHOTOS: “Stress is the body’s reaction to harmful situations,” according to WebMd. “Stress can affect all aspects of your life, including your emotions, behaviors, thinking ability, and physical health. No part of the body is immune.”
Working in stressful and intense situations can take their toll on police officers, firefighters and paramedics. - PUB DATE: 3/12/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hometown Source - Metered Site
