Fremont County Fire Protection District release:
Friends, Neighbors, and Fellow Fremontians,
Fremont County Fire Protection District would like to offer some advice on things to do with the ongoing Corona Virus 2019 otherwise known as COVID-19. These are definitely trying times that call for calm and caring actions. There is no need to panic, but there is extreme need to be cautious and take preventative measures. We not only need to take care of ourselves and our families, but also of those that we are around on a daily basis.
We offer the following suggestions and guidance:
- IF YOU FEEL SICK, STAY HOME. Do not go to work.
- IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE SICK, KEEP THEM AT HOME. With school cancelled, don’t send them to a caretaker that is caring for other children.
- IF SOMEONE IN YOU HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS, KEEP THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD AT HOME. Do not go to work. Do not go to school or daycare.
- IF YOU ARE AN OLDER PERSON, STAY AT HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
- IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A SERIOUS UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITTION THAT CAN PUT YOU AT INCREASED RISK (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens you immune system), STAY HOME AND AWAY FROM OTHER PEOPLE.
- IF YOUR CONDITION WORSEN OR YOU FEEL THAT YOUR HEALTH IS COMPROMISED – Call your medical provider and get medical direction from them.
Social Isolation is the best way that we have to prevent a large population of infected people all at one time. By trying to reduce a large number of cases all at one time we can help reduce the strain put on our emergency responders and medical facilities. Most folks will possibly not suffer any long-term affects from having the virus, but their actions or inactions can have a lasting affect on others. The guidelines put out by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) are for the benefit of us all. We urge you to follow these guidelines:
- Work or engage in schooling FROM HOME whenever possible.
- IF YOU WORK IN A CRITICAL IFRASTRUCTURE INDUSTRY, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule. You and your employers should follow CDC guidance to protect your health at work,
- AVOID SOCIAL GATHERINGS IN GROUPS OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE.
- AVOID EATING OR DRINKING AT BARS, RESTARAUNTS, AND FOOD COURTS – USE DRIVE-THRU, PICKUP, OR DELIVERY OPTIONS
- AVOID DISCRETIONARY TRAVEL, SHOPPING TRIPS, AND SOCIAL VISITS.
- DO NOT VISIT NURSING HOMES OR RETIREMENT OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES UNLESS TO PROVIDE CRITICAL ASSISTANCE.
- PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE;
- WASH YOUR HANDS, ESPECIALLY AFTER TOUCHING ANY FREQUENTLY USED ITEM OR SURFACE. WASH FOR AT LEAST 20 SECONDS.
- AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE.
- SNEEZE OR COUGH INTO A TISSUE, OR THE INSIDE OF YOUR ELBOW.
- DISINFECT FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS AND SURFACES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
- You can make your own cleaning/disinfecting solutions by looking on the CDC website (65% alcohol or 1 gallon water to 1 quart bleach)
We all need to work together to slow down the spread of COVID-19 and get through this pandemic. We need to think of our neighbors and friends who do not have the same access to supplies (food and toilet paper come to mind) and work together to see that everyone has what they need. There are a lot of options for getting supplies to those who need them, even those who wish or need to have minimal contact with others. Help on another to ensure that our at risk population has what they need.
In Fremont County we are blessed to have many volunteers who have stepped up to provide fire service for their friends and neighbors. These volunteers provide an invaluable service to their communities. But they are in those communities daily. Fremont County Fire Protection District has taken precautions to reduce their risk of exposure to COVID-19 and ask you to do the same by following the guidelines outlined above and as more become available. We need your help to safeguard our volunteers, neighbors, family, and most importantly yourself, so that our volunteer firefighters can continue to suppress fires, provide assistance at motor vehicle accidents, assist our Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Partners for whatever emergency may arise.
Thank You for your support of the Volunteer Firefighters in Fremont County and all that they do. Please remain calm and follow the guidance and direction that will continue to be provided so that we can all get through this together.
Respectfully,
Craig Haslam
District Chief