Latest updates
COVID-19 and its continuing challenges for the fire service
On this episode of The USFA Podcast, we talk with Dr. James Augustine about some of the COVID-19 challenges that the fire and EMS continue to deal with.
COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandates for EMS agencies
New vaccine and testing mandates for EMS workers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid are now in effect.
Emergency use respirator authorizations no longer in effect
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration no longer authorizes use of non-NIOSH-approved or decontaminated disposable respirators in health care settings.
Critical information for fire and EMS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC answers your questions about providing medical treatment, transport of ill patients, how you can protect yourself and others, and what steps employers of firefighter and EMS personnel should take for safe and effective COVID‑19 response.
EMS.gov
Resources from federal agencies and the Federal Healthcare Resilience Working Group covering a variety of topics, including vaccine administration, infection control, patient care, personnel health and safety, and mental health.
NEW
EMS Template Protocol for COVID‑19 Monoclonal Antibody Administration PDF
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Learn how your fire and EMS agency can obtain financial support for COVID‑19 response through FEMA's Public Assistance Grants Program and other federal programs. Also included are pandemic planning best practices and information on support for healthcare workers and local governments.
Highlighted resources
Fire and life safety
Understanding the Impact of Social Distancing on Occupancy
Considerations for authorities having jurisdiction and building managers when social distancing during the COVID‑19 pandemic.
Accommodating Outdoor and Pop-Up Dining During COVID‑19
As the pandemic continues across the U.S., one industry used to stabilize local economies — food and beverage — could face new fire and life safety challenges.
Ingress and Egress Concerns During the COVID‑19 Pandemic
New or temporary social distancing approaches to controlling building occupant flow have resulted in the potential for public safety to be compromised, like blocked or locked emergency exits to limit or prohibit access to portions of a building.
Fire Safety Considerations for Reopening Schools During COVID‑19
As many communities deliberate whether to open schools amid the ongoing COVID‑19 pandemic, it's important to ensure that students and staff remain protected during a fire or an emergency.
Reopening Pools with Social Distancing
Considerations for authorities having jurisdiction and property managers when preparing to reopen pools with social distancing.
Maintaining operational capabilities during a pandemic
During a severe pandemic, workloads increase and staff sizes diminish as employees and their families become ill or are quarantined. This guide provides contingency planning information that can help fire and EMS departments reduce the worst impacts.
Quick reference sheets: operational capability action steps
Potential action steps that can be used when preparing for a pandemic.
Research guide: COVID‑19
This guide is designed to help researchers, students, practitioners and the general public find materials on the ongoing COVID‑19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the National Emergency Training Center Library and on other recommended websites.
Start your COVID‑19 researchNFIRS special study: COVID‑19
The U.S. Fire Administration is using the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) to conduct a national-level special study on fire department responses to COVID‑19. The goal of the study is to help fire departments consistently document fire department calls to suspected or confirmed incidents involving COVID‑19.
The COVID-19 Special Study collected 17,413,982 incidents from Jan. 1, 2020 to May 6, 2022.