A member of the Cranston Fire Department wears a suit that first responders would wear when responding to a possible case of Ebola. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
After receiving a number of questions from residents and employees, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung says first responders are prepared if they are called to a suspected Ebola patient.
“We are taking the proper precautions and protocols that we need to train ourselves, have necessary equipment ready to respond if an emergency strikes in Cranston, if it arises, and we will be ready for the residents of Cranston,” said Fung.
He says this is a problem that everyone needs to take seriously including Cranston.
“Today is about the Cranston residents and alleviating their fears and concerns. Communication is one step towards doing that,” said Fung.
If a call comes in, dispatchers will ask the caller more specific questions along the CDC guidelines, which include travel history of the patient.
If it is determined the patient could have Ebola, three responders will dress in special suits and have the seams secured with specially designed tape and arrive on scenes with two ambulances. One ambulance would have minimal equipment with the back wrapped in plastic for the patient to ride in to the hospital. The other ambulance would have all the standard medical equipment inside just in case it was needed.
Two of the first responders in the suits would tend to the patient inside the home and move them to the ambulance while the third responder waited outside just in case they were needed
“We’re able to incorporate both the EMT-C training and the Hazmat training in order to make sure that we can effectively handle problems should it arise,” said Cranston Fire Chief Bill McKenna. He says 180 firefighters had EMT-C training and 120 had Hazmat training prior to the Ebola outbreak.
This ambulance would carry a person who is suspected of having Ebola. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
