COVID-19 FAQ
CORONAVIRUS FAQs
WHERE CAN LAFD MEMBERS GET INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19?
DO I HAVE TO BE SCREENED AT WORK?
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS?
WHAT ARE WE REQUIRED TO WEAR ON MEDICAL CALLS?
WHEN DO I PUT A MASK ON THE PATIENT?
ARE WE RECEIVING THE BEST PPE AVAILABLE?
WHAT CLEANING PRODUCTS CAN BE USED FOR DISINFECTING STATION SURFACES AND APPARATUS?
HOW LONG CAN COVID-19 LIVE ON SURFACES?
IF I AM IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, SHOULD I COME TO WORK?
WHERE DO I DISPOSE MY RED BIOHAZARD BAG?
WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ISOLATION AT THE STATION?
SHOULD WE BE USING N95 MASKS IF WE KEEP A DISTANCE OF 6 FEET FROM THE PATIENT?
ARE ALL CREW MEMBERS TREATING/IN PROXIMITY TO AN INFECTED PATIENT CONSIDERED EXPOSED TO COVID-19?
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH RISK EXPOSURE?
WHEN SHOULD I COMPLETE AN EXPOSURE REPORT?
WHAT STEPS DO I TAKE IF I AM EXPOSED TO A KNOWN OR SUSPECTED COVID-19 PATIENT?
I AM OFF DUTY AND STARTING TO FEEL SICK. WHAT DO I DO?
WILL THE DEPARTMENT TEST ME FOR COVID-19?
I WAS TESTED FOR COVID-19 AND MY RESULTS ARE POSITIVE. NOW WHAT?
I WENT THROUGH MY OWN DOCTOR AND GOT A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST. WHAT NOW?
MY TEST RESULTS FOR COVID-19 ARE NEGATIVE. WHAT NOW?
MY FAMILY AND I ARE STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THIS. WHAT DO I DO?
WHAT IS QUARANTINE? IS IT THE SAME AS ISOLATION?
DOES AT-HOME QUARANTINE PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK?
WHERE CAN LAFD MEMBERS GET INFORMATION ABOUT COVID-19?
All members should monitor the department portal for updates
DO I HAVE TO BE SCREENED AT WORK?
Yes, all Commanders and Supervisors shall ensure daily temperature checks with accompanying log entries are completed upon members reporting for work each day and anytime relief takes place.
See Official Notice: LAFD Thermometers and Mandatory Daily Temperature Check
Battalion and EMS Offices will be the control point for the following PPE and disinfection supplies:
- N95 masks (All types)
- Communicable Disease Kits (goggles, N95, gown, bio-haz Bag, gloves, hand-wipe)
- Eye protection
- Hand Wipes
- Surface Wipes
See DOC General Message: PPE Use and Restock
HOW DO I PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS?
- Social distancing
- Frequent hand washing
- Stay home if feeling ill
- Frequent disinfection of work locations
- Donning appropriate PPE
- Follow 1 in and 1 out rule
- Mandatory temperature checks
See Official Notice: DOC GENERAL MESSAGE HIPAA COMPLIANCE
WHAT ARE WE REQUIRED TO WEAR ON MEDICAL CALLS?
Members obtaining a patient history/assessment, as per the 1 IN-1 OUT Rule, should wear their assigned N95 mask, goggles, and gloves for every EMS incident.
See Official Notice: COVID-19 Update No. 6
When any of the following treatments are being performed all members within six feet of the patient shall don full PPEs (goggles, N95 mask, gown, and gloves):
- CPR
- Airway management (including BVM ventilation or King Airway)
- CPAP (should only be used if necessary)
See Official Notice: COVID-19 Update No. 7
WHEN DO I PUT A MASK ON THE PATIENT?
Upon first contact a face mask (not an N95 mask) should immediately be placed on every patient.
ARE WE RECEIVING THE BEST PPE AVAILABLE?
Yes! We are purchasing and providing the best PPE we can obtain. It is currently a supply issue, not a cost issue. The LAFD is committed to ensuring that our members are provided with the very latest information, the most thorough precautions, and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
WHAT CLEANING PRODUCTS CAN BE USED FOR DISINFECTING STATION SURFACES AND APPARATUS?
The LAFD has implemented a twice daily disinfection and cleaning of all fire station surfaces, including apparatus. Disinfectant wipes can be substituted by using a bleach solution. Bleach solution can be created by mixing ⅓ cup of bleach in one gallon of water. This solution is good for 30 days.
Video: Station and Apparatus Sanitizing Procedures
See DOC General Message and Official Notice, COVID-19 Response SOGs and Station & Apparatus Sanitizing Procedures for more information.
HOW LONG CAN COVID-19 LIVE ON SURFACES?
According to the World Health Organization, it is not certain how long the virus that causes COVID-19 survives on surfaces, but it seems to behave like other coronaviruses. Studies suggest that coronaviruses (including preliminary information on the COVID-19 virus) may persist on surfaces for a few hours or up to several days. This may vary under different conditions (e.g. type of surface, temperature or humidity of the environment).
IF I AM IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, SHOULD I COME TO WORK?
Refer to your doctor. LAFD will not make recommendations based on your personal health history.
WHERE DO I DISPOSE MY RED BIOHAZARD BAG?
Members are directed to place contaminated items in red biohazard bags. Once secured in a red biohazard bag, members are directed to transport the discarded items to the fire station for disposal into the biohazard container The department has contracted with a vendor for pickup of the biohazard container.
See Official Notice: Biohazard Container
WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDED PRACTICES FOR SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ISOLATION AT THE STATION?
Recommended practices for social distancing at the fire station include conducting line-up on the apparatus floor, eating in shifts, and exercising in shifts
SHOULD WE BE USING N95 MASKS IF WE KEEP A DISTANCE OF 6 FEET FROM THE PATIENT?
Each member should be wearing an N95 mask and eye protection on every EMS incident.
ARE ALL CREW MEMBERS TREATING/IN PROXIMITY TO AN INFECTED PATIENT CONSIDERED EXPOSED TO COVID-19?
No, if members are wearing the proper PPE, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is low.
See Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH RISK EXPOSURE?
Please refer to Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
WHEN SHOULD I COMPLETE AN EXPOSURE REPORT?
Members who have a low-risk, medium-risk, or high-risk exposure to a known or suspected COVID-19 patient shall document the exposure on the electronic F-430, COVID-19 Exposure Report.
Please refer to Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2) for proper post-exposure procedure
WHAT STEPS DO I TAKE IF I AM EXPOSED TO A KNOWN OR SUSPECTED COVID-19 PATIENT?
Follow the post-exposure procedures outlined in Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
I AM OFF DUTY AND STARTING TO FEEL SICK. WHAT DO I DO?
Do not report to work, and follow normal procedures for calling in sick. If you feel that you have symptoms related to COVID-19, communicate them to your station commander when calling in sick. If you would normally seek attention from your medical provider, do so.
WILL THE DEPARTMENT TEST ME FOR COVID-19?
The department will continue to provide COVID-19 testing for all LAFD members who exhibit signs and symptoms of COVID-19 illness. Testing will be conducted at the parking lot adjacent to Frank Hotchkin’s Memorial Training Center near the intersection of Lilac Terrace and Stadium Way. Testing will only be conducted after the member has completed the COVID-19 Screening Sign-up Sheet.
See Official Notice: DOC General Message COVID Testing (Updated)
I WAS TESTED FOR COVID-19 AND MY RESULTS ARE POSITIVE. NOW WHAT?
If a member received COVID-19 testing and the test result was POSITIVE, or if a member was sent home because the member had symptoms of a possible COVID-19 infection and did not get tested, regardless of the possible source, the member may return to work when:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
- Improvement in respiratory symptoms; and
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
- Return to duty through Station Commander. The member will not require clearance from a physician or special documentation, unless the member requires admission to a hospital for COVID-19 treatment, in which case MLU will provide direction.
See Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
I WENT THROUGH MY OWN DOCTOR AND GOT A POSITIVE COVID-19 TEST. WHAT NOW?
Inform your station commander and follow the procedures outlined in Department Bulletin 20-04
MY TEST RESULTS FOR COVID-19 ARE NEGATIVE. WHAT NOW?
If a member requested COVID-19 testing and the test result was NEGATIVE, the member may return to work when:
- At least 1 day (24 hours) has passed since recovery, defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; and
- The member submits to his/her immediate supervisor a copy of the COVID-19 test result showing a NEGATIVE reading.
- Return through the station commander
See Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
MY FAMILY AND I ARE STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THIS. WHAT DO I DO?
Dealing with the stress of a communicable disease exposure can be overwhelming, particularly if the exposed member is isolated from co-workers and family. All members are reminded that the professionals assigned to the Department’s Behavioral Health Program, the Peer Support Team members, and department Chaplains are an excellent resource to help the member and the member’s family cope with the stress.
WHAT IS QUARANTINE? IS IT THE SAME AS ISOLATION?
- Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick.
- Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Members who are in the same room and have NOT donned appropriate PPE while performing a high hazard, aerosol-generating procedure (e.g., intubation [King or direct laryngoscopy], bag mask ventilation, CPR, or nebulizer treatments) on a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient should quarantine at home for 14 days and perform active monitoring as described by the CDC.
See Department Bulletin No. 20-04 (Revision #2)
DOES AT-HOME QUARANTINE PUT MY FAMILY AT RISK?
In the event that a member requires quarantine, the County Public Health Officer or MLU will provide specific instructions to the member regarding procedures for self monitoring, quarantine location, reporting of findings and travel restrictions. See the CDC webpage Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus in Homes and Residential Communities.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
IAFF Website: www.iaff.org/coronavirus/
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