City Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator Jeremy Searfoss has been working with his team to fine tune the city’s emergency action plan, preparing for an increase in emergency calls and setting protocols for first responders.
“This is uncharted territory,” Searfoss said. “So we have no idea what’s going to be available. So, we made contingency plans for contingency plans. It’s kind of unprecedented to plan for this level.”
Fire Chief William Stoudt Jr. has been with the city fire department for more than 30 years and has never seen an emergency of this scale.
“We’ve been through times when we were stuck here for days through snowstorms and weather events but nothing like this,” Stoudt said.
The biggest concern for the city is the health and welfare of its first responders. However, if they would become sick, there is a plan in place.
“We are working together to secure housing if for some reason they can’t go home,” Searfoss said. “We made plans that if they do get sick they can stay or be isolated.”
The fire and police departments are encouraging members to stay home if they feel sick.
“If they are taking care of themselves they are also taking care of other people,” Searfoss said. “Our guys love what they do. They want to show up and they want to do their job.”
Protective equipment
Police Chief Richard Tornielli said: “This is an unprecedented incident and our personnel are still here. Their dedication to come to work, I think especially with the unknowns and risks … it says a lot about their integrity and their desire to serve the public here in the city.”
Following the CDC guidelines of staying 6 feet away from another person is challenging when a paramedic needs to take a patient’s vital signs or a police officer needs to arrest someone.
To help limit the first responders exposure, the fire, EMS and police departments were issued masks, gloves and goggles for when they can’t socially distance.
“So, when they have closer contact with an individual they have the personal protective equipment to protect themselves,” Tornielli said.
Searfoss said the department is also taking an inventory of its supplies every day.
“We have ordered additional personal protective equipment but are running into supply issues,” he said. “We had a significant amount on hand before this became a pandemic, so we were ahead of the curve in that respect.”
The N95 masks, which are in short supply, have been issued to all the department’s members, Searfoss said.
“They are a precious commodity now,” he said.
He said the masks are not disposable, and the department is following CDC guidelines when using them.
“If it's obviously damaged or soiled, we would replace it,” Searfoss said. “We are asking our members to be diligent with their personal protective equipment and use of that, so we sustain it until we receive additional supplies.”
Fewer calls for help
The city’s first responders also have seen a drop in calls during the pandemic.
“I think everyone is staying home and following directions, which is good” Stoudt said. “We hope it stays that way.”
Searfoss urged people not to call 9-1-1 to get tested for coronavirus if they do not have symptoms.
“There are only so many test kits,” he said. “So, they are only going to test people who have a fever, a cough or who have been exposed to other people who have been sick.
“You want to make sure you save that test kit for someone who really has to know.”
Searfoss said he expects things to escalate, but the city is prepared.
“At the end of the day we are here to protect the people we are sworn to serve,” Searfoss said. “And we’re making arrangements to make sure we can continue to do that.”
'Limit exposure'
The city’s fire department has stopped all public relations programs and closed the stations to visitors, Stoudt said.
Along with constantly reminding firefighters about being safe and taking precautions, Stoudt said routine training has been put on hold.
The department has limited firefighters' travel to other stations in the city unless it’s absolutely necessary. That means things such as platoon dinners are no longer permitted.
“These types of things are in place to limit exposure,” Stoudt said.
EMS Deputy Chief Walter Bauer trained the department on how to properly use personal protective equipment, and firefighters are constantly cleaning the stations and vehicles, especially after shifts change.
The fire department has made a slight adjustment to its response to calls.
“We’re going to the same calls and sending the same amount of equipment,” Stoudt said. “But on an investigation (for example), if we can limit personnel to one person or one crew, we're looking to do that, instead of a couple of crews. It’s on a call-by-call basis.”
Searfoss said: “With our members, we stressed you need to do what you need to do and here’s your equipment. Every morning we make sure we are stocked, and they are constantly cleaning our vehicles.”
'Keeping everyone safe'
Police officers are disinfecting cars and equipment after every shift. The roll call room is cleaned after each roll call, and shared computers are disinfected.
“We’re trying to do those things to keep the spread of the disease in check,” Tornielli said.
The police department expanded the types of calls and reports taken over the phone, and if an officer responds to a scene they may ask the person to step outside their home.
He said that measure is to limit officers' exposure to anyone exposed to COVID-19, as well as residents' exposure if the officers have been exposed.
“It prevents them from spreading the infection to a member of the public," he said. "It’s not just protecting our personnel but keeping everyone safe.”
Despite taking some precautions to limit officers' exposure to the public, Tornielli said the department is still out on the streets.
Officers are helping the Reading Recreation Commission and Reading School District hand out meals at various sites.
“Our officers are out there maintaining public safety,” he said.
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