APPLETON, WI (WTAQ) – As concerns over Covid-19 coronavirus continue and the flu season rages on – first responders in our area are sticking to their usual protocols when handling sick patients.
“It’s no different from what we typically do anyway. We come across all manners of sick people, so we have what’s called universal precautions. We may be a bit more cautious about following all of those, but we have pretty strict protocols in place,” says Appleton Battalion Chief of Fire Prevention Derek Henson.
Those protocols and precautions include taking even the most basic steps to eliminate germs and avoid getting sick.
“A little of everything. Facemasks are involved anytime we have a coughing or sneezing patient – whether it’s coronavirus or cold and flu related, we’re going to put a mask on them or ourselves,” Henson tells WTAQ News, “Strict handwashing protocols for everything. Unfortunately we run 4,000 medical calls a year, and if we got a fire department member sick on each one of those we’d be in trouble. So we do our best to stop the spread of sickness, regardless of what it is.”
If you feel sick or believe you have flu-like symptoms, meet with your doctor as soon as possible.
