First Responders Adjust Practices To Mitigate Coronavirus

Indianapolis first responders now take extra precautions in the field to prevent the spread of coronavirus.  The changes aim to protect the public and the responders.
 
Indianapolis Fire Department employees are not able to work from home. They still take normal precautions, including staying home from work if they’re sick, disinfecting and hand washing.

IFD Capitan Rita Reith says added steps include personal protective equipment for all crews and rethinking how they respond to each call.

"Is everything that we’re going on actually necessary for us to be on," says Reith. 

Emergency medical crews respond to hundreds of health calls each day. Reith says IFD is in constant communications with partners on the state and federal level.

"People are reaching out across the country, seeing what other departments are doing, bringing ideas to the table," says Reith, "will this work here in Indianapolis?"

All fire stations are also closed to the public.