4 Richland firefighters nearly clear of quarantine after concerns of coronavirus

Richland’s Fire Department will be nearly at full staff within the week after firefighters were quarantined after a potential exposure to patients with coronavirus.

Four firefighters responded to a medical call, but didn’t think they were heading to a room with a person suffering from flu-like symptoms. They soon learned the person possibly could have COVID-19, said Fire Chief Tom Huntington.

While they quickly put on personal protective equipment, the short exposure was enough to put them at risk.

Now, about a week and a half later, the firefighters have remained healthy. But since Richland has just 55 firefighters, their absence has meant the loss of an entire shift of emergency responders.

And it’s not just a problem unique to Richland.

Dozens of paramedics, EMTs and firefighters, both public and private, across the state and nation have ended up in quarantine after coming into contact with people exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus.

It started with 31 Kirkland firefighters who responded to the Life Care Center of Kirkland in the weeks leading up to a resident’s death.

While several became sick, only one of the quarantined firefighters tested positive for the virus.

And possible exposure to the virus left two firefighters in Clark County and 18 in Spokane stuck in isolation.

Losing a large number of firefighters would put a pinch on any of the Tri-City fire departments.

Pasco has 66 firefighters at its four stations, and Kennewick has 75 firefighters across five stations.

Both those departments have managed to avoid having anyone quarantined because of possible exposure.

“Spokane lost 18 (firefighters) because they had an exposure,” said Ben Shearer, Pasco’s public information officer. “That’s hard to do.”

Changing response

Pasco firefighters are heading to every medical call wearing gloves, eye protection and a protective mask as a way to prevent any possible exposure to COVID-19

It’s a change from the early days of the COVID-19 outbreak in Washington where they relied on knowing the symptoms before responding to medical emergencies.

Centers for Disease Control is still advising 911 centers to ask about potential coronavirus symptoms, and now they are making sure to have protection on.

When the firefighters report to work, they are checked for fever and other symptoms, and if they display any then they are sent home.

Firefighters are still making sure to disinfect their ambulances between trips as well.

Along with other measures, all of the fire stations across the Tri-Cities have shut their doors to the public. Huntington explained it’s a way to protect the public from any illnesses the firefighters may be carrying, along with a way to stop coronavirus from getting into the ranks of the firefighters.

“We’re watching really closely and guarding our most important asset, which is our people,” Huntington said. “We hate to be closed to the public, but it’s something that we have to do.”

The closures have also curtailed fire safety programs throughout the Tri-Cities. This includes visiting people’s homes to check on smoke alarms, talking to classrooms and bringing students through the fire stations.

Donations

Kennewick fire Capt. Brian Ellis is asking people who have been kind enough to bring food to the stations to turn their help to service organizations that might need it.

“Kennewick Fire Department is thankful for the outpouring of support and wants to express our gratitude to the community for bringing food and treats to the fire station,” he said in a news release.

All of the fire departments said they are still be available to respond to emergencies.

If people are looking to donate medical items, Benton and Franklin emergency services organized a drive. They collected 5,000 items, including masks, gloves and gowns, in the first day and a similar number on the second.

After Wednesday, Franklin County Emergency Management will take over the collection. People can drop off items from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1011 E. Ainsworth Ave.

This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 12:52 PM.