Filtered By: Topstories
News

Firefighters suit up to transport COVID-19 patients


With the threat of the coronavirus disease still looming over the country, firefighters have found themselves embarking on a new mission.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has created a team to transfer COVID-19 cases from one area to another.

On Thursday, the team picked up an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient from a hotel and transferred him to a BFP-run quarantine facility in Alabang.

The transporters strictly observe health protocols and disinfect their vehicle after every trip.

They spend 40 days on duty and another 40 days off.

“Kung sa sanayan, medyo sanay na. Pero ‘yung kaba, hindi naman maiaalis ‘yun, lalo na ‘yung mental stress na baka maka-acquire ka [ng COVID-19],” Fire Officer 3 Sedfrey de Guzman said.

Most of the transporters are nurses who underwent several kinds of training such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense.

“Thousands of positive patients have been transported from their homes, hospital, vice versa, pero not a single member ng EMS has been contaminated,” a BFP official said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT