SALISBURY, Md. - A one-stop-shop that's helping first responders stay safe is up and running in Wicomico County.
Wicomico County Emergency services opened a decontamination and disinfection site that has already served around 100 to 150 emergency vehicles in just the last four days. The site is open to all first responders, like fire, EMS, law enforcement and even public works employees, to help them clean their equipment after responding to a call.
"They can come here and disinfect their vehicle, their equipment and their clothing, even when they have it on. They can give it a quick spray to their clothing," says David Fitzgerald, deputy director and risk manager of Wicomico County Emergency Services. Fitzgerald says this is the first time something like this has been set up permanently in Wicomico County, and he says it will stay for future use long after COVID-19. It was put together with the help of the county's roads and parks departments. He adds that similar sites have also been set up in Worcester and Talbot counties. "It gives everyone a piece of mind," Fitzgerald says. "One that they are safe, our providers are safe, and that we are not contributing to the communicable spread of COVID-19." It can take a crew on average about 15 to 20 minutes to completely clean their equipment. The tent itself is 16-feet-tall so that it can hold vehicles as large as fire trucks. "It's a nice setup. It allows you to rapidly decon the entire unit outside of the station so you're spreading germs all around the station when you're aerosoling things and kicking things up," Capt. Chris Truitt of the Salisbury Fire Department says. Truitt says his team has used the site a few of times in addition to some of the decontamination practices they already implement. The center adds an extra layer of protection to the challenges first responders are facing amid the pandemic. "It's added a level of complexity to many calls," Truitt says. "Every call, our clinicians are wearing masks, eye wear and gloves and gowns for certain calls. And we put a mask on every patient." Truitt adds that crews are wearing masks while at the station too, and changing their uniforms after calls. He says there is a heightened level of stress when his team goes out on a call, but that they're doing everything they can to help keep everyone safe.
Emergency personnel urge people who are calling 911 to be honest with dispatchers about whether they've been in contact with COVID-19. They say it gives first responders the best information when responding to your call.