(File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

COVID-19 9-1-1

Public reminder about what to expect when you call paramedics during COVID-19

May 11, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) is reminding people of what to expect when you call 9-1-1 in the age of COVID-19.

That includes the procedures and protocols being followed by paramedics across the province.

“They [SHA] and us are taking the health and safety of everybody very, very seriously,” Melfort Ambulance Manager Wayne Therres told northeastNOW.

He said that’s why they don personal protective equipment, or PPE, before they come to assist. PPE includes safety glasses, and perhaps a shield over the goggles. Paramedics will also be wearing a mask or an N-95 respirator and gloves, and may wear a protective gown.

“What we wear depends on the screening that is done both by 9-1-1 call-takers that are in our communication centres, or by the screening test that we do when we first come to your scene,” Therres said.

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He said it’s crucial people are honest when they answer the questions of 9-1-1 call-takers or paramedics, as that determines what protective equipment they require.

“The goal behind [PPE] is to reduce our exposure to the COVID virus at every call that we respond to, and by doing that we also reduce your exposure when we arrive on scene to help you,” Therres said.

Emergency calls are often urgent in nature, and Therres said paramedics will put on the appropriate PPE as quickly as possible as they arrive. He said it’s important for people not to approach the paramedics, as it puts everyone at risk.

That’s also where honesty is important.

“Our screening… through the communication centre helps, because sometimes we can be putting [PPE] on on the way to the house, which makes things faster,” Therres said. “We’re really trying to get out to everybody, when the screening questions are being asked, be truthful with what’s going on.”

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cam.lee@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @camlee1974