COVID-19: Statement from EMS Director
Emergency medical services (EMS) play a vital role in responding to requests for assistance, triaging patients, and providing emergency medical treatment and transport for ill persons. However, unlike patient care in the controlled environment of a healthcare facility, care and transports by EMS present unique challenges because of the nature of the setting, enclosed space during transport, frequent need for rapid medical decision-making, interventions with limited information, and a varying range of patient acuity and jurisdictional healthcare resources.
Due to this situation, for not only COVID-19, but also Influenza, the following precautions will be taken by EMS staff as recommended by the CDC:
- Responding EMS staff will wear face mask, eye protection, and gloves along with any other personal protective equipment to every 911 call until further notice.
- On arrival, ear-loop facemasks will be provided to the patient(s) and any bystanders in close proximity to wear during treatment and transport.
This is only a precaution for Thomas County EMS. A potential exposure to COVID19 would result in a minimum of 14 days isolation for the responding crew. This could be catastrophic to Thomas County EMS, and have a direct impact on our ability to respond to those in need. Please, do not be alarmed by these safeguards implemented. These steps are being taken to allow EMS the ability to provide the best possible care for all patients that would require our services.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dain Carmen at Thomas County EMS by phone at (785) 460-4585, or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..