Lakeview Fire Department increases safety measures

As the coronavirus outbreak continues, first responders such as the Lakeview Fire Department are tasked with responding to emergencies while keeping themselves safe.

Over the past month, the fire department has limited its personnel groups during each emergency call to reduce the chances of catching the virus. Volunteers have also equipped themselves with personal protective equipment such as N95 masks, medical gowns, gloves, eye shields and surgical bonnets.

“Our fire chief James Galia had instituted these policies to protect our volunteers,” said Lakeview fire commissioner Heather McNeill. with volunteers, we don’t want to put their lives completely on hold. We’d like to make sure that they are taken care of.”

McNeill also said that paperwork for each call has become even more important at this time, and that they keep a log of each volunteer that reported to an emergency. Now during most calls, they limit personnel to four people which includes the driver, a technician, an officer, and an assistant.

“We evaluate everyone that calls us during an emergency, but we also have to protect ourselves,” McNeill said.  “We’re not perfect. We try to do the best we can with what we have and trying to promote social distancing at the firehouse.”