The Bella Vista Fire Department has seen some changes since the COVID-19 outbreak started.
Fire Chief Steve Sims said, "We run fire and ambulance here. It's changed more on the ambulance side. The patients that meet certain criteria are screened. The guys are told ahead of time that it's a possible isolation patient." Sims explained that when someone calls 911 and gives certain symptoms, paramedics know to put on their protective gear before entering the residence.
"That's new for us since this pandemic has come about," he said. The gear is isolation gear, he said. It includes some sort of body covering that covers the arms and torso, which is sometimes a set of coveralls; an N95 mask; an eye covering; coverings on the boots; a hair covering and gloves.
Sims said a lot of times they try to get the patient to come outside or into the carport if the weather is decent and the patient is able, in order to have better airflow and prevent being in an enclosed area.