Local firefighters adjust procedures because of pandemic

Volunteer firefighters, like all first responders, still answer the call, even in the age of COVID-19. But like everyone else who has to go outside, they go prepared and protected, with their Personal Protection Equipment.

Liberty-Eylau Volunteer Fire Department, whose staff stands at over 20 active members, continue the work, though one more safety concern accompanies them as they go about their business.

“When responding to calls, our goal is to make sure our firefighters stay safe,” said Kevin Wesselhoft, assistance chief. “Also, our residents’ safety is topmost on our minds. So we wear gloves and masks when we go out on a medical call, standard gear when on

a fire call. When it is a motor vehicle collision, COVID protocol is in place as well.”

Wesselhoft has been assistant chief for a couple of years, but has grown up around the firefighting life.

“I became a fireman at 18, and my whole time has been with LEVFD,” he said.

Acting Chief Mandy Freeman says the new medical gear is a part of the list when they go out on calls, especially “priority one calls.”

Those are heart attack, CPR in progress, seizures, strokes, and the like, she said. “It depends on the situation. We co-ordinate with LifeNet and work with them on which calls we respond to medically. When it comes down to fires and wrecks, that’s all us. So far, things continue to operate smoothly. No COVID cases in L-E we are aware of as of yet.”

Justin Woodward of the Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department said they had new gear in their inventory for the COVID-19 situation, as well as new procedures.

“We do a lot more post-call decontamination and hand washing,” he said.

When they respond to calls, they approach it in a way that minimizes exposure to both firefighters and citizens.

“When we go to a house, we have one member enter a home, and then we figure out the situation and what to do next,” he said. “This is for everyone’s safety.”