Although news broke this week that a member of the Bridgeport Fire Department tested positive for COVID-19 after exposure from his family, the unit is still doing all it can to provide quality service to the community.

 

As part of that, seven additional members of the staff that were in contact with the infected member have been put on quarantine. Even with that situation, Chief Phil Hart has said operations will continue as normal with remaining staff.

 

It’s likely a good portion of the remaining staff’s calls will be related to the Coronavirus. Hart said at least a third of the calls are as a result of the virus.

 

“The majority of the calls where we transport our patients are ones that present the signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” said Hart. “Some of the transports have been confirmed cases as well. We’re following guidelines with questions and how those questions are answered has us treating them as if they are positive until proven otherwise.”

 

The department has a list of questions they go over with patients. Hart said if a certain number of questions are answered ‘yes’ then they are treated as COVID-19 positive.

 

While the majority of those transported have not been positive, Hart said it’s not 100 percent. He said some of the individuals transported for medical treatment have turned out to be confirmed cases.

 

“Regardless, we already utilize additional protocol with protective gear. It’s complete gear with a face mask, eye protection, and body protection,” said Hart. “Putting it on does delay our response time a bit to the patients, but it potentially is saving lives.”

 

Hart said the department is using additional protocols on a regular basis. He said they update those protocols with regular information from the state and the CDC. The protocols are for going out for work and for when staff is in the department.

 

“We do temperature checks in the morning and the evening of all staff members,” said Hart. “We’re also encouraging them to monitor themselves for signs and symptoms and they’re doing that. What makes this difficult is a large part of the carriers of the virus don’t show signs.”

 

Hart said another protocol involves transport of any individual believed to potentially have the virus. A designated ambulance is used for transport and addressed after each use.

 

“We decontaminate the equipment and the vehicle along with decontaminating the staff members,” said Hart. “The ambulance we use is set up to try and make the process a little less cumbersome.”

 

Hart offered praise for his staff and all first responders, as well as medical personnel. He said the entire pandemic is difficult to deal with, but he’s impressed with how everyone is stepping up.

 

“It’s very taxing on the staff, even though everyone knows why and doesn’t mind, to take all the precautions. The issue is you have to worry about missing something,” Hart said. “It’s tough to think about that because of yourself, your co-workers and that you leave here and go home to a family.

 

“My staff is dealing with that as are so many others,” he continued. “On top of that, they have their everyday jobs here at the station and still have to go out on other calls for medical reasons, brush fires, carbon monoxide investigations and everything else a regular day brings.”

 

Click HERE to read a story that ran earlier on the protective gear the city fire staff is utilizing.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos show the ambulance being used for possible COVID-19 cases, while Chief Phil Hart is shown below. Bottom photo by Ben Queen Photography.