As our federal, state and local governments are taking steps to help reduce the risk of spreading and contracting the COVID-19 virus, we are continuing to play our part. We are in frequent contact with the multiple boards of health and hospital networks to ensure that accurate, timely information is shared with the public so that we can best protect ourselves, our patients and our communities as a whole. While the current events can be alarming to some, we ask that you continue to follow basic hygiene and contact precautions. More detailed information will be coming soon about screening facilities should you think you have been exposed or have symptoms. The major point we want to share is, if you think you have symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus or suspect exposure please, call your doctors office or health department and follow their directions. We will be increasing our daily staffing temporarily to assist with the probable increase in call volume associated with the virus. As always we and our neighboring departments stand ready to respond and assist if you feel you need us. That said, our station houses only 2 ambulances, so we ask that calling 911 be reserved for patients with acute symptoms actively causing distress. Dispatchers will be asking screening questions that help us determine the appropriate level of protection that we need to wear. Please be honest in answering these questions so that we can remain healthy and able to continue to assist our community. Please do not be offended if our personnel are wearing masks and gowns or do not immediately enter your home until we are able to give you a mask to put on. Please continue to help us keep our community healthy and safe.