COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho — First responders in North Idaho say they're taking extra precautions in the wake of the global coronavirus pandemic.
911 emergency dispatchers are taking additional steps as well to help prevent the spread of the virus.
This month, the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department announced that firefighters may respond to calls wearing protective gowns, face masks, gloves, and glasses in an effort to potentially protect themselves from coronavirus patients. The protective gear, which would be used as a precaution, would only be worn if the fire department had reason to believe they may be interacting with someone carrying the virus.
"We're making sure that we're kind of taking a proactive approach to it," said Craig Etherton, a department spokesperson.
Etherton noted that other agencies in North Idaho were putting similar measures into place. Etherton added that the protective gowns and masks were already in CDAFD's toolkit and would be used for any kind of call relating to a communicable disease.
Of the gear, he emphasized that the N95 face masks are fitted.
"It needs to be fitted to your face and your facial configurations," said Etherton.
Additionally, 911 dispatchers are prepared to ask callers additional questions in an effort to determine if the callers may have been exposed to the virus. By allowing dispatchers to receive more specific information on a call, first responders can be better prepared before heading to a call.
"It's taking precautions before you go in as opposed to walking in, figuring out what it is, and then having to take those precautions afterwards," Etherton said.
Both Coeur d'Alene Fire and the Northern Lakes Fire District announced that station tours would be restricted during the viral outbreak.
"The Fire District recognizes new guidelines, and this decision was not made lightly," said Northern Lakes spokesman Chris Larson in a statement. "Fire District officials weighed the potential benefits for community health along with the significant impacts that these guidelines could have on our community and our responders."
As of Monday evening, no confirmed cases of COVID-19 had been reported in North Idaho.
"We're not naive enough to think that we're not going to get any cases. But we just want to be ahead of that curve," said Etherton.
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