VIDEO: Mobile Fire-Rescue is using a new tool to further sanitation efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The department now has two UVC lamps that use ultraviolet lights to kill bacteria.
“The UVC light has the ability to destroy the DNA of the virus’ bacteria,” said Charles Hines, MFRD Health and Safety Officer.
A firefighter mists a cleaning chemical all over the surfaces of the ambulance, then the UVC light is placed in the back of the rescue truck for about 10 minutes.
“I know the hospitals have been using UVC lights in the past and so I thought that was something we could easily deploy in the back of our rescue trucks,” said Hines.
Firefighters will use the UVC lamps in ambulances after they transport cardiac arrest patients, unresponsive patients, or people who have already tested positive for COVID-19.