EMS1 article by Mike Taigman - Leaders from Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service and Snohomish County Fire District detail how they’re monitoring the COVID-19 surge and preparing for the worst-case scenario.
Before beginning a shift for the day, what is something those working in law enforcement can do to prepare themselves, knowing they are risking exposure to COVID-19? For those working in a leadership role, what is important for them to keep in mind? This pandemic has the potential to drag on for a long time, what are the possible effects of long-term heightened stress on first responders? Can you explain the concept of crisis rehearsal and how that could be beneficial for law...
FirstWatch Medical Director, Silvia Verdugo Puts COVID-19 in Perspective in JEMS Interview
EMS1 article - Our friend Catherine Counts PhD from Seattle shares data visualization resources to help manage the response to our pandemic.
EMS1 article by Rob Lawrence - Communication, PPE and decontamination strategies highlighted the 4th FirstWatch and Paramedic Chiefs of Canada COVID-19 webinar
This joint webinar of PCC, AIMHI, IAED, NAEMT, CAA, and FirstWatch was the 4th in a series. We were proud to see that over 1,300 people registered for it. With Matt Zavadsky from MedStar moderating, our presenters for Solano County, California were Dr. Bela Matyas from Solano County Public Health, Ted Selby from Solano County EMS, and Jimmy Pierson from Medic Ambulance. They provided incredibly useful and practical information from their ongoing experience providing care for COVID-19 patients quarantined at Travis Air Base. One example of insight shared...
EMS1 article by Mike Taigman - Coronavirus spread in an already busy flu season calls staffing contingency plans and a commitment to hygiene and PPE
WSB-TV - Article and Video: Two dozen emergency workers in Washington state are off the job as they are being monitored for possible exposure to the coronavirus. (KIRO7.com)
This Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) webinar is presented in conjunction with the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED), and FirstWatch. View Webinar Recording View Webinar Slides (PDF Format) Additional Resources Mentioned During the Webinar: COVID-19 Update 2/25/20 Questions and Answers Description: This webinar was the 3rd COVID-19 webinar and provided an update on COVID-19, specifically as it relates to emergency call centers, paramedic and EMS services, and other responders. Also presented, the pediatric implications and...
This list of URLs provides current, as of 2/12/20, URL links to both Canadian (PHAC) and American (CDC) COVID-19 Case Definitions, including a rapid use CDC Flowchart for ID and Assessment, CDC Interim EMS and PSAP Guidance, and Interim Guidance for All Health Care Workers. There are also links to Home Pages with links to a wide variety of COVID-19 information, and helpful Appendices from PHAC’s Routine & Additional Precautions Guidelines. Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC) COVID-19 Webinar #2 -...
EMS1 Article by Rob Lawrence. Snohomish County, Washington, officials describe the EMS transport of the first confirmed 2019-nCoV patient in the U.S.
What First Responders Can Do Feb-3-2020: The information in the attached PDF is designed to assist EMS and other First Responders, but may contain information not complete or applicable to a particular agency or situation. All stakeholders should review pertinent national public health and WHO documents to ensure complete knowledge. Download the pdf
Coronavirus Resource URLs for Public Safety Organizations: Link to the IAED EIDS Tool for 2019-nCoV: https://www.emergencydispatch.org/coronavirus-2019-nCoV OSHA Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/novel_coronavirus/ FEMA on 2019-nCoV: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/operations/infograms/012320.html NAEMSP Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://naemsp.org/home/news/ems-considerations-for-coronavirus/ FireRescue1 Presents the IAFC List of Resources for 2019n-CoV including the NHTSA Office of EMS01: Guidance for the novel virus: https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-chief/articles/iafc-compiles-wuhan-coronavirus-resources-for-fire-ems-leaders-pjDd627JV7ana0sZ/ IAFF Recommendations for 2019-nCoV: https://www.iaff.org/coronavirus/ HHS ASPR/Tracie EMS Infection Control Handbook (not limited to Coronavirus): https://files.asprtracie.hhs.gov/documents/aspr-tracie-transport-playbook-508.pdf WHO, PHAC, and CDC Resources for 2019-nCoV: WHO Home Page with Links to Other Resources including Daily...
Executive Summary: The CDC has announced that U.S. Travel Alert Status in now at Level 3 – All non-essential travel to China should be avoided. The CDC has also expanded airport screening to more airports, for a total of 18 and to two border crossing sites. The WHO has repaired a mistake in wording, regarding risk of 2019-nCoV disease to areas. The correct WHO risk assessment is Very High Risk (raised from High) in China, High Risk in the Region &...
IN THE NEWS The 2019-nCoV situation is a rapidly changing one with almost constant news media reports, situation reports, revised information and guidelines, travel bans and recommendations, and more. Reports of new cases, including where the case was identified (country, state, province, county, etc.), travel or other specific information associated with the new patient, and a running total of suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths caused by the virus, and other case information is often published in one form or another. This...
IN THE NEWS Toronto Health Officials have announced the first case of 2019-nCoV in Canada. The patient travelled from Wuhan City and arrived in Toronto on January 22nd and was transported by our customer, Toronto Paramedic Services.
IN THE NEWS The emergence of a novel disease is always a rapidly changing situation and FirstWatch will attempt to be your clearinghouse of important information for planning and on-going operational activity as well as ongoing infection prevention control for your 1st Responders, Staff and Citizens. We will provide and update information, as well as recommendations from expert governmental and public health experts, as it becomes available. We’ll try to keep current and include the information that may have an impact...
IN THE NEWS The CDC and the State of Washington Department of Health in coordination with the Snohomish Health District posted news releases of the first U.S. case of the novel coronavirus that was first identified in Wuhan, China and was reported to the WHO on December 31, 2019. Most cases were initially associated with a Wuhan Seafood and Animal (dead & alive) Market. Many of the initial cases were vendors at that market, but there has also been limited human...
