Posted on Thursday, Mar. 12, 2020 at 10:52 am

With the developments in recent months around the pandemic COVID-19 (also referred to as coronavirus), the Madison Fire Department has been working with our partners at Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC) to ensure our community is safe.

The MFD gets its guidance from PHMDC regarding appropriate personal protective equipment, response plans, and communication. We have been planning for a considerable uptick in response surrounding the symptoms of the virus outbreak.

The MFD would like to emphasize the good practice of self-care, and we would like to remind the community of some of the best practices to keep yourself safe:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue, then throw the tissue away.
• Sanitize your living and working spaces.
• Practice social distancing. Keep a 6-foot space around you and others when practical.
• Try to limit your exposure to large crowds.
• Don't touch each other.

Just some of those small adjustments in your daily routine can help prevent the spread at a community level.

What can you do to help us?&

If you feel the need to call 911 for your illness, one of the best things you can do is share your symptoms with the 911 call taker. They will be able to get the responders the information about your symptoms so we can prepare prior to us arriving on scene. When we do arrive on scene, it would be helpful for you to tell us exactly what you are experiencing and your entire history.

As we enter into a possible community spread of the virus, keep in mind that we will serve you with the high quality that you have come to expect from the MFD.

With that said, help us help you! Follow the recommended guidelines from our health partners.

Steven Davis
Fire Chief