How is COVID-19 Affecting Elk Creek Fire Protection District? Q&A

ELK CREEK FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
11993 Blackfoot Road – PO Box 607 – Conifer, Colorado 80433
April 5, 2020

As you may have heard, the next two weeks are expected to show a surge in COVID-19 cases and critical patients. Elk Creek is doing its best to protect our responders, the community, and our patients. Please see the below Q&A for information on how COVID-19 is affecting the fire department.

Q: Has Elk Creek Fire transported any COVID-19 positive patients?
A: We know there are cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County. ECFD has transported patients with potential COVID-19 symptoms. As of 4-5-20, we have not heard of any positive results in these patients. This is a dynamic situation, and with cases increasing exponentially each day, we feel the likelihood of transporting positive patients will only increase. We remain prepared to take appropriate cautions in the case of transport needs, and we continue to utilize our exposure reduction ambulance as needed.

Q: What precautions are your EMTs and Medics taking to protect themselves from sick patients?
A: ECFD personnel are now wearing masks, gloves, and eye protection on EVERY medical call.

In the case of patients with COVID-19 like symptoms, providers are also wearing goggles or face shields and a full gown or tyvek suit. We also put a mask on the patient. Medical evidence suggests that this level of precaution is highly effective in preventing spread.

Our staff members, like everyone else in the community, must occasionally go to the grocery store and make other essential errands. While we are following recommendations from the state for stay-at-home, masks in public, etc. we are still at risk along with the rest of the community.

Q: Have any Elk Creek staff tested positive for COVID-19?
A: Yes. As of 4-5-20, we have had one staff member test positive. Thus far, this person has minimal symptoms and is doing well at home.

Q: What will sick or positive staff members do to ensure they are negative before returning to work?
A: Any sick or positive staff members will actively self-monitor and self-quarantine per Colorado Dept. of Health guidelines (currently 14 days). They may return to work if they are symptom-free for 14 days.

Regardless of a positive test, our responders have been instructed to not come into work if they are ill. If they have COVID-19 symptoms, they will stay at home, self-treat, self-quarantine, and seek medical care if their condition increases in acuity. Other staff members are prepared to cover shifts where possible.

Q: What happens if enough ECFD staff members get sick that you can’t cover all the shifts?
A: This is a valid concern and one we are taking seriously. We are taking several steps to prevent this, including quarantining any staff who are sick, keeping our facilities closed to the public, limiting building, gym, and equipment use to essential staff, wearing cloth masks on any essential errands, frequent hand-washing, and frequent decontamination of surfaces at our station.

Even with all these precautions, we are aware that this situation could become a reality. Staff will be allowed to work extensive overtime, if deemed necessary, to cover for sick colleagues. We will need to rely more heavily on our mutual aid partners to help cover the needs of the fire district.

In a worst-case scenario situation, ECFD could experience a decrease in service. Medical calls could have significantly extended response times. Our ability to answer calls that are less than life or home threatening could become very limited. Again, this is worse case scenario, and we hope it will never come to this, however, we will always be honest with you about the current situation. Please see the following Q/A for ways YOU can HELP us avoid this situation.

Q: How can the community help decrease the possibility of a decrease in service due to COVID-19?
A: Please follow all recommendations from the CDC and the State of Colorado:
Take the executive order to stay at home seriously and comply with it.
Maintain social/physical distancing everywhere.
When you do need to leave your home for ESSENTIAL errands, wear a cloth mask.
Please do not leave your home for anything unessential. Most vehicle crashes occur within a 5-mile radius of your own home, in your comfort zone. Any EMS response creates another exposure potential for both crash victims and responders.

Limit our and your exposure: Please do not call 911 for anything that does not require transport to a hospital. If your situation is non-life threatening and you can drive yourself or a member of your household can drive you, please choose this option.

Of course, call 911 with any critical or life-threatening conditions.

Q: Is Elk Creek Fire running out of personal protection equipment or medical supplies?
A: Currently, Elk Creek Fire has the supplies that it needs for treatment of our patients and protection of our responders. We are monitoring national supply shortages and taking precautionary steps to acquire extra supplies early wherever possible and appropriate. We are following guidelines for decontamination and re-use of certain supplies such as goggles and face shields.