Vashon’s fire district is contending with the COVID-19 pandemic with enough personal protective equipment, for now, changes in protocol to keep patients and responders safe, and plans underway to respond to a surge in patients should one occur, according to Chief Charlie Krimmert.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR) is well stocked with gloves, goggles, gowns and N95 masks, which filter out even small particles from the air. While supplies of PPE, as the protective gear is known, are currently sufficient, district personnel are mindful of conserving it and wear it only on select calls.

“We are fortunate to have enough, but are being cautious of its use,” Krimmert said.

Currently, dispatchers ask 911 callers about their symptoms, such as the presence of cough, fever or shortness of breath, and then advise responders accordingly. In addition to wearing full PPE when working with a patient who may have COVID-19, emergency medical personnel wear it on a variety of other calls, such as when CPR is needed and for calls to Vashon Community Care in an effort to keep the virus from spreading.

Currently, when responding to islanders’ homes, district personnel may ask callers if they can come to their door or step outside so the responders can meet them there, reducing their risk of exposure.

The region’s fire districts are working closely with King County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Krimmert said, and are following a very similar set of protocols. Among those protocols for possible COVID-19 calls is the use of a “scout,” a responder in full PPE who initially assesses the patient. The scout then advises his or her colleagues, located nearby, on PPE requirements and relies on the minimum number of responders to safely treat and move the patient.

Current guidelines call for patients remaining at home if they have stable vital signs, oxygen saturation of 94% or higher, normal consciousness, and are under 60 and generally healthy.

“If they have stable vitals, staying home is the best course of action,” Krimmert stressed.

In such cases, crews leave behind a flier with important phone numbers and advice.

Since January 1, the district has identified approximately two dozen transports where the patient had possible COVID-19 symptoms, Krimmert said.

King County EMS reviews all the department’s reports. If a crew member was found to have had an exposure — meaning they were not wearing PPE and the patient tested positive for COVID-19 — the crews and all the people they had contact with would go into quarantine. So far, that has not been necessary on Vashon, though it has at other departments. Currently, the fire district is reserving its Bennedsen House in Burton for personnel who might have been exposed and are not able to quarantine at home.

Krimmert said that while he trusts the PPE and protocols to keep his crew safe, he is concerned about their risk of exposure to the virus outside of work.

“My bigger fear is that they are going to go home and get exposed when they are buying a gallon of milk,” he said.

To help stop the spread of any illness, Krimmert said district personnel throughout the station are practicing social distancing and trying to remain 6 feet apart. VIFR has also instituted wellness checks each workday. Anyone who has a fever or a variety of other possible COVID-19 symptoms, such as sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, will not remain on shift.

“If they are feeling sick in any way, should they not be up to par, we will send them home,” he said.

A large outbreak on the island is the district’s “big fear,” Krimmert said. He noted that such a situation could easily be created by someone throwing caution to the wind and hosting a big party, where many people would contract the virus. The district is working to be ready for such a spike in numbers, no matter the cause.

“That is the challenge we are actively working on, many people sick at the same time. That could easily overwhelm us,” he added.

Currently, for such a situation, the district is seeking permission to use a building, where patients, no matter their illness or injury, could be safely assembled while awaiting transport, Krimmert said, adding that a location and plan are fast approaching resolution.

Krimmert encouraged people to mindful of their actions during this time.

“Please, please take care of you, stay at home as you can, and if you can’t, please avoid contact with others and stay at least six feet away from those around you when you are out,” he said.

Susan Riemer is a volunteer with VashonBePrepared’s Emergency Operations Center and a former editor of The Beachcomber.