Dispatchers in Houston, Texas, have stopped asking 911 callers if they have symptoms of coronavirus, a move that worries local firefighters.
According to multiple reports, 911 callers will no longer be asked if they or members of their household show signs of COVID-19, which had been an ongoing procedure since the new coronavirus pandemic began. Dispatchers would report to firefighters, according to reports.
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“Having less information about COVID-19 infections is dangerous for firefighters, paramedics, and the public. Why the city refuses to trace the information is a mystery to us, “Patrick” Marty “Lancton, president of the Houston Professional Association of Firefighters, told Fox News in an email.
The city announced the new policy Tuesday when members of the Houston Fire Department attended funeral services for the first Houston firefighter to die of the coronavirus.
Houston dispatchers will no longer ask callers if they have symptoms of the new virus.
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“We are also concerned that the city released this information during the memorial service for Captain Leroy Lucio, who died of complications from COVID-19,” added Lancton.
Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena told local media ABC-13 that this new policy arises out of concern that callers are not being honest about their symptoms and that the policy is also an acknowledgment of how Rampant has become COVID-19 in Houston.
Peña had publicly asked Houston residents to respond to dispatchers honestly in an effort to protect firefighters, according to the local outlet. Its fire department has suffered a large number of COVID-forced quarantines, Peña said.
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Peña explained the change to members of the Houston Fire Department in a note obtained by local ABC 13-TV.
“The prevalence of COVID-19 is high in the Houston area and COVID-19 cannot be ‘ruled out’ in the field and cannot be adequately examined through OEC. In the best interest of the health and well-being of members of HFD, all addresses and patients should be viewed as potential COVID-19 positive sites and patients. No attempt should be made or opinions formed to treat and treat any patient as ‘non-COVID’, “the note read, according to the medium.
“The goal is to minimize the spread of infectious diseases. At EMS and all medical care, we practice universal precautions. Exposure is a risk in our workplace on all calls. A correct EPP is required on each call. Houston paramedics said assume that everyone has COVID-19, “Peña added on Twitter.
