RVFD COVID-19 Statement and Donation Information

The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. is an “all hazards” department that responds to all types of incidents including fires, automobile accidents, medical emergencies, hazardous materials response, technical rescues and much more. Additionally, in conjunction with the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS), we pride ourselves on being involved in promoting emergency preparedness, fire prevention and a variety of life safety programs.

The novel corona virus COVID-19 has impacted almost every facet of everyday life in the United States and RVFD operations are no exception. Along with MCFRS, we are taking steps to minimize potential exposure for our first responders and the general public while we continue to respond to emergencies. Some of those steps include:

• When responding to calls with persons displaying symptoms of the virus, fire department personnel will wear surgical style face masks
• Patients will be asked to don a surgical style face mask, provided by the ambulance crew
• Persons suspected of being infected will be transported to the closest emergency room
• At the hospital, patients may first be seen in a special triage area that is outside of the emergency room
• Fire station visits are not allowed
• Fire/rescue personnel will not attend any community education or other public events

Based on continuing developments, these actions may be updated and others added. If the exposure rate increases and emergency personnel become sick, the system could be overwhelmed and response times may increase. Check back here and at other official web sites for updated information.

CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES FOR AMERICA:

These guidelines are taken directly from the CDC.

DO NOT INGEST BLEACH OR OTHER DISINFECTANTS

These include products that contain:

• sodium hypochlorite
• calcium hypochlorite
• hydrogen peroxide
• sodium carbonate peroxide

If you or someone you know has ingested any of these products, call 911 or your local poison control hotline. In Maryland, call 1-800-222-1222 for the Maryland Poison Center.

Follow these steps to limit virus transmission:

• WEAR A FACE MASK WHEN IN PUBLIC
• Listen and follow the directions of your STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
• IF YOU FEEL SICK, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider first.
• IF SOMEONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD HAS TESTED POSITIVE for the coronavirus, keep the entire household at home. Do not go to work. Do not go to school. Contact your medical provider.
• IF YOU ARE AN OLDER PERSON, stay home and away from other people.
• IF YOU ARE A PERSON WITH A SERIOUS UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITION that can put you at an increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.

Even if you are young, or otherwise healthy, you are at risk and your activities can increase the risk for others. It is critical that you do your part to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Do your best to minimize gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

DO NOT VISIT nursing home, retirement, or long-term care facilities unless to provide critical assistance.

Please continue to practice good hygiene:

• Wash your hands, especially after touching any frequently used item or surface
• Avoid touching your face
• Sneeze or cough into a tissue, or the inside of your elbow
• Disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible