IMPD, EMS stand ready to address coronavirus
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — As the coronavirus spreads across the area, first responders say they are ready in case they come in contact with the virus.
“If a patient is coughing, there could be some contaminates on all the surfaces,” said Allison Cole, an emergency medical technician with Indianapolis EMS, as she disinfected an ambulance.
A couple of the EMTs with Indiana’s largest EMS service showed News 8 how they disinfects their ambulances from infectious diseases, including the coronavirus.
“It’s a lot like you would clean your own home. With Clorox wipes, bleach wipes, disinfectants. Wiping down all the surfaces,” said Brian Van Bokkelen, a spokesperson for Indianapolis EMS.
After every single run in any of their 32 ambulances, they sanitize and change out anything a patient touches. It’s standard protocol.
Van Bokkelen told News 8 that Indianapolis EMS has 330 EMTs and paramedics on the street working 12-hour shifts daily.
Over at Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, they too deal with infectious diseases every day. Officers already have proper personal protective equipment if needed.
“Commonly, you’ll see N95 masks, wearing gloves, an apron, something like that. Depending on what the risk is determines the level of PPE (personal protective equipment),” said Tom Sellas, commander of IMPD Homeland Security.
“It’s just second-nature for them,” Van Bokkelen said. “They’re doing their jobs as they’ve been trained to do.”
Van Bokkelen said if an EMT takes someone to the hospital who winds up testing positive for the coronavirus, as long as they’re wearing proper protective gear, the EMT goes right back to work immediately. If not, they must follow guidance, which could include 14 days in quarantine, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.