Police and Fire

How Covid-19 has changed emergency response protocols

By Julia Swerdin and Nicole Alcindor

Police and fire departments have changed longstanding protocol in response to the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic: EMTs and firefighters from the East Rockaway Fire Department are now required to wear an assortment of personal protective equipment — gowns, masks, gloves and eye protection —while on duty; entering people’s homes is now an in-and-out procedure; and the back of an ambulance must be sanitized following each use.

According to first-year volunteer Denise Cornell, the hardest part of serving during the pandemic is explaining to family members that they cannot sit in the ambulance with their loved ones in order to minimize the spread of the virus. Some volunteers, including ERFD Chief Ronald Roeill, are working overtime to accommodate the increased volume of calls received by the fire station.

The department has bolstered its Critical Care and Member Assistance Program, a group of volunteers who share stories and words of encouragement to help one another cope with their often arduous job. Three-year volunteer Mary Fahey calls squad members to see how they are doing after being on duty.

Amid an immense wave of support for front-line workers and medical personnel, the Lynbrook Fire Department flashed its sirens and blared its horns on the night of April 7. The department recently welcomed its newest, and 100th, chief, Michael Brooks, on April 21.

The Lynbrook Police Department has also made changes to its daily procedures: EMTs must first evaluate the scene of a medical emergency before waving the OK for an officer to enter; all officers wear masks, gloves and goggles provided by the village’s Emergency Management Office.

According to Lynbrook Mayor Alan Beach, first responders must be notified if a caller has symptoms of Covid-19, which allows for time to implement necessary protocols for the safety of both officers and patients.

Courtesy Brian Paladino Left photo: Officers from the Lynbrook Police Department are now required to wear masks, gloves and goggles when on medical calls. Above, Officer Patrick Scanlon took a resident’s report in April

Courtesy Steve Grogan Right photo: Firefighters at Lynbrook Fire Department Engine Company No. 1 sounded their horns and flashed their sirens on April 7 at 7 p.m., joining other departments countywide in supporting medical personnel working on the front line against the coronavirus.