Firefighter Austin Amaya demonstrates additional COVID-19 PPE

The safety of our responders, our community, and our visitors is always the highest priority for the Lebanon Fire District (LFD), and we will continue to take measures ensuring that safety throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. Fire district chief officers are working hand in hand with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Linn County Health Department to implement the necessary precautions to protect our first responders from a COVID-19 exposure while ensuring the continued delivery of emergency services to the communities of Lebanon, Sodaville, and Waterloo, as well as to our ambulance service areas in the communities of Brownsville, Scio, and Halsey.

Lebanon Fire District crews recently responded to the Oregon Veterans’ Home where they encountered a resident who has since tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Our responders have shown no signs or symptoms of exposure thanks to their use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and will continue to be monitored. All district personnel are following strict PPE guidelines from LFD policy and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and are taking extra precautions to protect themselves and their patients from exposure, including increased cleansing precautions of district vehicles and equipment.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatchers are screening all 911 calls for the potential of a COVID-19 exposure and as such our firefighters and paramedics may arrive on scene wearing a heightened level of PPE that our patients are not used to seeing. The public should understand that this additional PPE (gowns, facemasks, eye protection, etc.) is solely a precautionary measure to protect our responders and the public from any exposure or potential cross-exposure. The Lebanon Fire District is committed to providing the same high level of exceptional service to our community throughout this outbreak. Protecting our responders allows us to continue to answer your calls for service quickly and safely.

Over the next few weeks our residents may notice some changes in the service delivery of non-essential fire district functions. Several programs and services have been postponed or delayed to maintain the recommended social distancing advised by the CDC, the OHA, and Linn County Health Department. This service delays include but may not be limited to:

• Station tours
• Meetings in LFD facilities
• Smoke alarm installations
• Inspections of commercial occupancies
• Public education events/public appearances
• Car seat installations

While our front office remains open to the public, it is important to stress that if you are sick or feel ill please follow the CDC recommendations and stay at home. If you need to conduct business with the fire district, we can handle many questions or situations over the phone via our business line, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You may also email general questions to us at info@lebanonfire.com and a variety of public information is available on our website at www.lebanonfire.org.

It is important to reduce the impact on our local emergency medical and hospital systems during this time. Individuals who feel sick or have concerns about a non-life-threatening illness are advised to call their primary care provider (Doctor’s Office) or a local urgent care center directly to seek treatment advice. Individuals who are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, or other life-threatening symptoms are urged to call 911 immediately.

The fire district is asking our community to practice common sense with the local COVID-19 outbreak and follow the CDC guidelines which include:

• Frequent, vigorous handwashing for at least 20 seconds
• Staying home from ALL activities when you are sick with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing)
• Staying away from others who are/may be sick
• Practicing social distancing – staying 6 or more feet away from others

The Lebanon Fire District is dedicated to providing safe and reliable emergency services throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. For more information on ways that you and your family can remain safe please visit the following websites:

www.cdc.gov Center for Disease Control

www.oregon.gov/oha Oregon Health Authority

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