VIDEO: For firefighters, personal protective equipment (PPE) is now part of their everyday uniform. The PPE protects first responders in case they are exposed to COVID 19. "Full personal protective equipment would be gloves, which we always wear, every medical call we go on, we'd add an N-95 mask to filter the virus, glasses if they don't wear them already and gowns that are splash protection," Reno Fire Chief, Dave Cochran, said.
Dispatchers are now screening calls so that first responders can be prepared if they have to respond to a call involving someone who may have the virus. If a caller tells dispatch they have symptoms, RFD now requires firefighters responding to wear PPE. Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue taking protecting a step further, requiring its firefighters to wear PPE to every medical call.