Powhatan County’s first responders are taking extra precautions to ensure the safety of themselves and residents as they answer calls for help in the coming weeks and months. While their jobs by definition involve having a presence in the community and interacting with people in difficult situations, local first responders can still take steps to limit contact with the public as part of the larger attempts to curb the spread of COVID-19. Sheriff Brad Nunnally and fire and rescue chief Phil Warner shared the steps their agencies are taking to accomplish that goal. Both said they are following the contact guidelines provided by the Virginia Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and are finding it effective, and the sheriff’s office is also in constant contact with the Department of Homeland Security.