Spokane-area first responders take precautions to stem spread of COVID-19

Tue., Aug. 4, 2020

Paramedic Bryce Hughes, center, demonstrates the personal protective gear that he and other firefighters from Spokane Valley Fire wear when a patient might have COVID19. Hughes and Capt. Ethan Kast, left, are part of Engine 3, stationed at the Liberty Lake fire station. First responders depend on call takers and dispatchers to ask the right questions and relay information about possible COVID19 symptoms. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)

Capt. Ethan Kast, left, helps paramedic Bryce Hughes demonstrate the personal protective gear that all firefighters from Spokane Valley Fire wear when a patient might have COVID19. Kast and Hughes are part of Engine 3, stationed at the Liberty Lake fire station. Firefighters depend on dispatchers to ask the right questions to help prepare the responders to possible COVID19 symptoms. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)

Paramedic Bryce Hughes demonstrates the personal protective gear that he and other firefighters from Spokane Valley Fire wear when a patient might have COVID-19. Hughes is part of Engine 3, stationed at the Liberty Lake fire station. First responders depend on call takers and dispatchers to ask the right questions and relay information about possible COVID19 symptoms. Protective gear includes a respirator mask, a plastic gown, gloves and safety glasses or face shield. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)

Paramedic Bryce Hughes demonstrates the personal protective gear that he and other firefighters from Spokane Valley Fire wear when a patient might have COVID19. Hughes is part of Engine 3, stationed at the Liberty Lake fire station. First responders depend on call takers and dispatchers to ask the right questions and relay infromation about possible COVID19 symptoms. (Jesse Tinsley/THE SPOKESMAN-REVI)

As community spread of COVID-19 continues to rise in Spokane County, the number of first responders out of work remains low, –despite the close quarters in which they often work and high-risk situations they enter.