As we all work through the new normal related to COVID-19, we wanted to provide our citizens with an update on your fire department.
We are doing everything possible to maintain the health and safety of the responders. We are still going to all the same emergency calls as before but with a few changes we incorporated as part of our own version of social distancing.
We no longer allow visitors to the fire hall but walk up emergencies are still greeted in the lobby. We hope anyone needing assistance in Goodlettsville will dial 911 because there are times when we are all out on calls. 911 will be answered and the closest available responder sent, even if that’s from our automatic aid partner Nashville Fire.
On medical calls, we treat everyone as a potential COVID-19 patient. We make direct patient contact with the smallest number of firefighter / EMT’s that is appropriate for the situation. If the ambulance arrives with us, the firefighters will only approach if needed. Mask, gloves, and gowns compliment nicely the body substance isolation practices we have always used.
Despite all the reports of PPE shortages, we are doing well so far. We are using considerable amounts of PPE and cleaning supplies but are ahead of the curve on that for now. We are linked directly to TN Emergency Management for more when we need it.
Early on we initiated conversation with the five nursing facilities we respond to and developed plans with them to again, expose the smallest number of firefighter / EMT’s as is appropriate. This one is more for their safety than ours but it works both ways. So far, it is working well but that population is obviously our greatest concern and we remain ready to work with them in new and inventive ways if necessary.
Our free smoke alarm install service is still on-going but during this time only, we’ll give you the alarm to install yourself. If residents have trouble with that, we’ll make a connection to a local volunteer to assist with putting them up. Fire alarm calls and working fires are being handled the same as always, we just have to speak a little more loudly from 6 feet away.
Fire Chief Kenneth Reeves asks that you all take this time of awareness and focus on safety to take stock of your personal preparedness to all hazards inside your home. Fire, tornado, and flood are realistic hazards we all face and a little planning and preparation can make recovery much smoother than no planning at all. Visit https://www.ready.gov/ for incremental steps we can take to be more prepared.
This period in our lives will pass. When it does, let us be a stronger and more resilient Goodlettsville for the future.
Stay the course and stay calm, because we are Goodlettsville and we will overcome.