(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Emergency operators still responding to all calls, despite some members self-isolating

Mar 27, 2020 | 3:28 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Fire, EMS, and police in Lethbridge are assuring the public that they will still be able to respond to calls, despite COVID-19 impacting some of their members.

To be clear, there are no confirmed cases of the virus in any of these responders at this time.

Deputy Chief of Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Greg Adair and Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) Inspector Russell Lawrence spoke to media about this matter.

Both say that they have had some members returning to the country and were forced into a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Others may have come into contact with another person who might have been showing symptoms of COVID-19 and started self-isolating as a precaution.

On the fire & EMS side, Adair says this includes about 15 per cent of their total workforce, or a maximum of 35 members at one time. This does not include those who have taken time off for regular illness.

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“We still have been able to man all of our fire apparatus, our ambulances, and be able to respond to every emergency that we are called for assistance on.”

For police, Walper could not give an exact figure but says it entails a “large number” of officers.

LPS has taken steps to ensure they are still able to respond at a normal level.

According to Walper, some officers who had requested time off have voluntarily put that on hold to ensure they can still work. The agency is able to cancel all time-off requests in extreme circumstances, but this is not something LPS has done or would like to do.

“We have redeployed some officers back to the front line, back to the patrol teams to ensure we have an adequate number of first responders to deal with any event in the city and we do have that. We have no concerns for how we will be able to respond to anything in the city – we’re well prepared for that.”

Across the city’s emergency personnel, some of those who had entered self-isolation have or will be coming out of it shortly and will be able to return to work.

If you are suffering from a medical emergency and need to phone 911, Adair says the operator will ask you a couple of questions regarding potential symptoms of COVID-19 and your recent travel history.

“Please be forthright and honest. Don’t be ashamed if you have symptoms or you feel you have COVID – we require this information to protect our emergency responders. These individuals will then put on the required personal protective equipment and be able to come and deal with your medical emergency as safely as possible. This will help limit the spread and this is what we’re looking for.”

While the number of cases of COVID-19 in the South Health Zone is currently the lowest of all Albertan health regions, Adair and Walper says it will take every member of the public being diligent to keep it that way.

Maintain a physical distance of two metres from others, stay home from work if you are not feeling well, and only go out if necessary.