This page provides COVID-19 resources for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) departments on:
Details about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) are changing rapidly and it's easy to get information overload, but first responders need to be prepared to encounter cases. COVID-19 presents as a respiratory illness with mild to severe symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath. It is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and spread via respiratory droplets with close contact, like the flu.
FEDERAL HEALTHCARE RESILIENCE TASK FORCE
This document provides an overview of general considerations, potential strategies and existing resources that EMS agencies may use to inform changes to their operations and standards of care. Sample documents are provided.
Infection Control
A brief overview of COVID-19 testing to inform decision-making for fire and EMS.
Planning and Response
Inform your community about these actionable steps they can take to minimize the respiratory effects of wildfire smoke.
Planning and Response
Considerations for authorities having jurisdiction and building managers when preparing to reopen pools with social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (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.
The CDC has published interim guidance on COVID-19 for all first responders. This includes the fire service, emergency medical services (EMS), law enforcement and emergency management officials. If you anticipate close contact with persons with confirmed or possible COVID-19 in the course of your work, please read this guidance.
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 researchPeople are very concerned right now about COVID-19. When cleaning surfaces, they may not think about the dangers of mixing household cleaners. Share these cards with your community on your social media channels to increase awareness about the dangers of household chemicals.
