By David Fleet
Editor
Fire departments have prepared for any emergency and threat as a response agency, and now they are facing a new one – COVID-19.
From protection for first responders to COIVD-19 patients to safety procedures—area fire departments are stepping up the battle.
Groveland Township Fire Chief Kevin Mason said obviously our crews are concerned about being exposed to the virus.
“We are taking all of the precautions that are practical while still providing the best care possible,” he said. “The State and County have changed several protocols to provide the best protection we can come up with. Additional supplies are being distributed to the communities on practically a daily basis.”
“We are currently manning our stations with two people each as we have been for several years,” he said. “We currently do not have a shortage of personnel but that could change quickly if we start getting a lot of virus related illnesses.”
The county has devised several alternative scenarios for taking care of sick residents and first responders, said Mason.
“We have several conference calls a day to review any changes, hospital statuses and to check to see how the communities and first responders are doing,” he said. “Stay home. Please avoid personal contact with other individuals and only go out to pick up essential supplies.”
If you need some assistance and you think the Groveland Township Fire Department may be able to help call (248) 634-7722 to see if they can help.
In Atlas Township, Steve Bullen, fire chief and Ed Klimek, assistant chief both emphasized to let the reponders know upon arrival if anyone in the house has been sick or has coronavirus symptoms.
“Regardless of the call now we have to assume the worst and make sure to wear gloves and masks and keep a distance between us and the homeowners whenever possible,” said Bullen. “Now we have to take extra precautions on every call.”
The department is still available, fully-staffed and ready to respond for any and all emergencies, he added.

In Brandon Township, Fire Chief Dave Kwapis said the stress to the station has increased ten fold because of a heightened sense of safety.

“Do you have all your PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) on?  Is it completely covering you?  Is this a positive COVID patient?  Is this a patient that is having the “regular” emergency, if there is such a thing?  Am I infected and don’t even know?   Are we spreading it to our citizens in need?   Are we going to take this virus home to our family?  How many friends are going to get this virus.   How many friends and neighbors are we going to lose to this virus in this community?     Who are we going to lose to this virus, in our community?” Kwapis gave as examples of the questions they are asking themselves. “In some,  our crews are being extra vigilant on every call, we are wearing all the recommended PPE.  People thought we looked strange in our turn-out gear and air packs, look at us now.”

Kwapis said that while times are stressful, his staff have been great.

“I can’t stress enough how well they are handling this pandemic, they are ready for the fight,” he said. “Agencies in Southern Oakland County, are getting hit pretty hard, seeing up to a 100% increase in call volumes.  A trend analysis shows that the increased call volume is moving north.  We are preparing for that to occur here, along with our “normal” calls.”

Kwapis also stressed the importance of social distancing, and doing basic safety checks at home, such as checking smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.

All firefighter work sessions and training have been canceled.