An area agency wants its citizens to know it is working on a plan to help it provide services.
Higginsville Emergency Services says to all of the citizens of Higginsville and its surrounding service areas, as most of you know the President of the United States has declared a National State of Emergency in response to the growing outbreak and worldwide Pandemic of Covid-19.
The Department of Emergency Medical Services, with various state and national agencies assisting, have been working hard to develop a tactical and safe approach to maintain its operations during this serious time. The agency has begun the process of implementing its infectious-disease policy. Its preparation for this crisis, has been ongoing for several weeks. The agency wants to assure all residents that the Paramedics and EMTs at Higginsville EMS have been given all of the needed tools to be safe; but even with that, the risk still remains very high for all first responders and public safety officers. The agency has worked with Central Dispatch, which is the first line of protection, and it has now begun to screen callers for potential risk. Most hospitals will now require a different process for EMS entering the hospital and transferring care. The manner that the agency renders care may change slightly, but everyone will be given the best care possible given the circumstances. This flu season has caused most of the region’s hospitals to be at capacity right now, so this situation is of great concern for hospitals nationwide. .
The Department has, until a time determined to be at less risk for the community, will stop any station tours, visitors and blood-pressure checks at the station. The facility will remain closed to the public, which means all programs like the EMT Academy, will begin online programming effective Monday, March 16. The agency also has suspended its Paramedic Intern program with various EMS training entities. CPR and First-Aid programs will be suspended.
At shift change, crews will be screened to determine risk.
The CDC recommends social distancing; frequent hand washing and use of sanitizers. You should avoid touching your face. If you are sick, you are urged to stay home.
What the agency knows is that the incubation period may be between five and 12 days, but it is still getting information to narrow that down. Most people that contract the disease will have subtle symptoms and will need no medical attention. Those older populations or those with cardiovascular, pulmonary or conditions impacting the immune system are at high risk for having complications. Generally, the only time a person needs to seek medical attention is if they become short of breath or demonstrate respiratory distress.
The agency says the weeks ahead will be a challenge. Anxiety and fear are very real in these times. Call your friends and family, particularly ones that often see but cannot now. Check in on people you know struggle with these changes. Vigilance and reason will be the biggest tools that can be used right now to help. In fact, reason is the only remedy to this fear.
EMS is determined and focused. The agency understands, like all of its public safety brothers and sisters, that there are inherent risks each and every day at work. The agency knows employees put their lives on the line, and this Pandemic is no exception to the inherent risks they face.
General quarantine is 14 days. For a small rural service, losing a crew to an unnecessary exposure would be disabling to its services. The agency says we need to make sure we protect ourselves so when we are needed, we can safely respond.
Here are some resources to keep in mind:
COVID-19 Hotline: (877) 435-8411, this number is a statewide hotline for guidance for citizens and providers needing information on the disease
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus