Alan Atkinson knows Fremont rescue squad personnel look a little different when they come to someone’s door these days.
That’s because they’ve launched some different procedures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
When Fremonters call for a rescue squad, they’ll talk to a 911 dispatcher who will ask a series of questions, which include those about travel and possible exposure to someone with the virus.
This helps first-responders prepare for the call.
Fremont Fire Department personnel have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The equipment includes goggles, a mask and gloves, which they wear to calls.
If through the dispatcher’s questions, squad members believe the person is a suspected COVID-19 patient, they also have protective, full-body suits and full-face shields, said Atkinson, a Fremont firefighter.