First responders stepping up to keep front lines fully staffed during COVID-19 crisis
More than 200 police officers, firefighters and paramedics have been quarantined during the coronavirus outbreak, but gaps have been filled by those willing to work overtime and cancel vacations
More than 200 Hamilton first responders have been quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID-19, yet just five have tested positive.
None got the virus as a result of their duties.
That is thanks to planning and preparation — but also luck, says Chief Michael Sanderson of Hamilton Paramedic Service.
Despite dozens of sidelined police officers, firefighters and paramedics since the coronavirus hit in March, emergency response leaders say they have kept the front lines fully staffed and available to respond to the demand for emergency services.
That’s the good news.
The bad news is that overtime pay to fill shifts will rise as the pandemic continues.
A total of three paramedics have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Sanderson. None got the virus on the job.
“We’ve actually been lucky.” Luck is part of it, but the service has taken extensive precautions: everything from screening paramedics for COVID-19 symptoms before shifts, to new protocols requiring gloves, surgical masks and eye protection on every single call and the launch of a specialized COVID-19 unit that responds to the highest risk suspected cases.
Over the past seven weeks, 46 paramedics have been placed in self-isolation at various times.
Some have been off for two weeks at a stretch, for instance after travelling. Others have been off for two or three days after experiencing a “breach” of personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for a possible COVID-19 patient. In the latter instance, EMS makes a request to public health to test the patient for the virus. If the patient is negative, the paramedic can return to work, explains Sanderson.
Currently, nine paramedics are self-isolating. Two had potential workplace exposure while on the job in Hamilton. Another had potential exposure with another employer. Six had possible exposure in the community, unrelated to work.
The first Hamilton paramedic was placed in quarantine March 14, after travelling.
Hamilton has more than 300 full-time paramedics.
Of the 46 who have been isolated, 18 had possible work-related exposure.
Staff absences “have been covered in all cases through use of part-time staff or overtime,” says Sanderson.
Also, many workers have cancelled scheduled vacation time.
The costs of that overtime and likely vacation payouts will be addressed at an upcoming budget meeting, says Sanderson. The province has set aside $75 million in COVID-19 relief for Ontario’s paramedic services, some of which Sanderson hopes to tap into.
“Eventually, we will have to pay the piper, but right now, we’re focused on making sure we are fully staffed.”
COVID-19 calls have skyrocketed since last month, says Sanderson. That is partly because of community spread of the virus, but also because the provincial screening assessment has changed to capture a wider group of potential patients. In the beginning, an average of eight patients a day were transported as potential COVID-19 carriers. On Tuesday, 58 suspected COVID-19 patients were transported, according to Sanderson.
Since the first suspected COVID-19 patient was flagged in Hamilton on March 9, EMS has transported 1,037 patients who potentially have the virus.
The Hamilton Fire Department has had one member test positive for COVID-19 due to contact unrelated to work, according to Chief Dave Cunliffe. There have been 70 members (full time, volunteer and support staff) in self-isolation since March 7. No members are currently isolated and none of the quarantines have been work-related.
One Hamilton police officer tested positive for COVID-19 and since March 14, 95 members have self-isolated at various times for various reasons. Currently, two members are quarantined.
Front-line staffing has not been impacted, says spokesperson Jackie Penman.
First responders are at great risk of contracting COVID-19 because the nature of their jobs puts them in direct — often hands-on — contact with the public. They do not have the luxury of physical distancing. And because first responders work together as teams and frequently come together at emergency scenes, there is also greater risk of spreading the virus within their own ranks.
Contact tracing has led to staff shortages in other cities.
In mid-March, at least 50 firefighters in Washington, D.C. had to self-quarantine after an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) colleague tested positive for COVID-19.
Around the same time, more than 150 members of the New York City EMS and fire depart- ments were quarantined and three tested positive for COVID-19 after one EMS worker got the coronavirus.
In a Seattle suburb, 30 firefighters had to isolate after responding to calls related to a nursing home where 30 residents died of COVID-19.
By the end of March, more than 500 members of Toronto Police Service, civilian and uniformed, were in self-isolation.