Mesa fire department to perform welfare checks on elderly people via phone

Members of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department will begin doing welfare checks on elderly residents by phone as many of them stick close to home amid the coronavirus pandemic. Crew members will be calling with information on how they can protect themselves from the virus and to ensure they have access to resources and assistance, according to a statement from the department. This will be also an opportunity for elderly Mesa residents to have support and human connection during their time of self-isolation. Older people and those with underlying health conditions are highly encouraged to self-isolate as they have been found to be more vulnerable to the disease. The individuals who will get a call are referred through social services and home safety education programs. The average age of these patients is 71 years old.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix

Quad-City first responders ramp up COVID-19 response protocol

A recent 911 call from a quad-city area resident suspected of having COVID-19 went as well as first responders could hope for. The resident called from his home north of Chino Valley and said he had traveled overseas and was exhibiting severe symptoms indicative of the virus. The resident had already been tested for COVID-19, but his test results — which still take several days on average to verify — had not come back yet. All of this information allowed firefighters to take the necessary precautions before responding to the scene. “Everyone was fairly confident going in, so our personnel had full, appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) on; because as long as you’ve got that, there’s no exposure,” said Scott Freitag, fire chief for the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA).
The Daily Courier

Your Prescott Fire Department Thanks You

Your Prescott Fire Department would like you to know that we are here for you. In these times of uncertainty, your Prescott Fire Department would like you to know that we are here for you. Not only are we committed to providing you with the highest level of Emergency Services, but our members are also committed to supporting our community as much as we can in these times of need. In 2013, our community was very supportive of us in our time of need. As a gesture of appreciation and support to our community our department has been traveling to various eating establishments in the area to order takeout meals. Though a small gesture, we would like to ask that the rest of our community keep any open businesses in mind and continue to support them throughout these tough times.
Prescott eNews

N95 mask vendor price gouging Phoenix Police, Fire, congressmen say

One thing that really gets people fired up during this pandemic is price gouging, and 2 Arizona congressmen are hoping to start an investigation into a company that they say is ripping off police and firefighters. Representatives Ruben Gallego and Greg Stanton complained to the U.S. Attorney General's Office and to the Federal Trade Commission that a company is charging the Phoenix Police Department and Fire Department way more for N95 masks than they used to. In a joint letter, they called it "shameful and un-American conduct." “You have to pay 500% markup for equipment that is usually not as expensive as they are charging,” Rep. Gallego said. The letter was an official request for the FTC to immediately open an investigation into the alleged illegal behavior. “This company, the activity that they’re engaging in, it’s gonna be a black mark on their personal reputations for the rest of their lives,” Rep. Stanton said.
KASW-CW6 & KTVK-3TV (azfamily.com)

Bullhead City Fire board, department taking extra precautions

Members of the Bullhead City Fire District board learned what the department is doing to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 to themselves and the community. People entering the building to attend Tuesday’s board meeting were asked health questions. They also had their temperatures taken before they could walk past the reception area. Fewer than 10 people — including four of the five board members — attended the meeting, a number of people grouped together that was in keeping with recommendations by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the White House. Fire Chief Patrick Moore pared down the agenda so other employees wouldn’t need to make presentations to the board. And people in the meeting room sat far apart to lessen the likelihood of spreading COVID-19 to those nearby.
Mohave Valley Daily News

Two Tempe police officers injured after fire breaks out at apartment complex

Two Tempe police officers were among three people who were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a fire broke out at an apartment overnight. Crews from Tempe Fire Medical Rescue and Mesa Fire and Medical responded to a call at an apartment complex near McClintock Drive and Apache Boulevard. They found a third-floor apartment on fire. The fire began around the kitchen area. The apartment complex "was not sprinklered," fire officials said. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and keep it from spreading to other apartments. All three people who were taken to the hospital had non-life-threatening injuries. The Greater Phoenix Chapter of American Red Cross responded to the fire. The fire displaced approximately eight people throughout five apartment units, according to a statement from the Red Cross.
KPNX-TV NBC 12 Phoenix

Mental health apps available for first responders

The 100 Club of Arizona is offering two mobile apps, sponsored by the Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, to help first responders find mental health resources from a distance, as they cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The Bulletproof app for all sworn officers, non-sworn/professional staff and family members is available now, free of charge, for any iPhone or Android device. It is available via the App Store or Google Play Fireproof, an app for all sworn firefighters, non-sworn fire department staff and family members, will be available via the App Store or Google Play next month. A special, department specific code is required to access the apps. First responders and their families can request the code from their agency’s wellness coordinator. “Recent studies have found we’re losing more first responders to suicide than in the line of duty,” said Angela Harrolle, 100 Club of Arizona CEO. “In Arizona, we lost 12 first responders to suicide in 12 months beginning in 2019.
Sun Cities Independent

Masks on the way for Mesa first responders

Mesa and Phoenix have joined forces to order four million masks to protect firefighters and police officers against COVID-19. Fire Chief Mary Cameli told Mesa City Council last week that firefighters are using the masks at a higher rate than before the outbreak and that they are tapping into a supply of 9,000 expired masks still in storage. “They are being a little more cautious about it. Right now, we are using it way more than we ever have,’’ she said. Last year, Mesa firefighters used 4,500 N95 masks, but already have used 2,500 this year, Cameli said. Less effective surgical masks are being used on patients when firefighters perceive a risk. While the masks might be worn in response to more than one call, they are never used beyond one day, she said. Mesa also received 100 masks over the weekend from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cameli said, and more shipments are anticipated.
East Valley Tribune

Water Wheel Fire District gets new Type 1 truck

The Water Wheel Fire and Medical District announced it has a new piece of firefighting equipment, a four-wheel drive Type 1 engine. The new engine could impact the Insurance Services Office (ISO) rating for the communities it serves, which could mean lower insurance rates for residents. The engine complements the district’s other equipment by making it possible to have full firefighting capabilities at each of its stations in its 55-square-mile territory. “The truck has an extremely short wheelbase and four-wheel drive which is ideal for maneuvering on the narrow, winding Forest Service roads in our communities throughout our fire district,” said Ron Sattlemaier, fire chief for the district. “We now have three of our four Type 1 engines with four-wheel drive which is a great asset for us, especially in the winter dealing with snow-covered roads.” The district purchased the engine from a fire department in Wisconsin.
Payson Roundup - Metered Site