The people who drive Seattle-area buses are grappling with a duty they never imagined, as “first responders” to a coronavirus pandemic. While most people hunker down, transit is designated an essential service. So essential, in fact, that even if bus drivers are exposed to the novel coronavirus, Metro instructed those who don’t show symptoms to continue working.
- PUB DATE: 4/2/2020 1:04:54 PM - SOURCE: The Seattle Times

Last week the Spokane Valley Fire Department marked its 80th anniversary, a milestone that passed with less fanfare than usual as the region and state grapple with the novel coronavirus pandemic. The department formed as Spokane County Fire Protection District 1 in an age when the Spokane Valley area was known for its small farms and apple orchards.
- PUB DATE: 4/2/2020 8:28:13 AM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

Firefighters trained as paramedics and EMTs will assist the FDNY’s overloaded medical services bureau as part of a “doomsday scenario” to deal with the surging coronavirus pandemic, the Daily News has learned. Roughly 209 FDNY firefighters with emergency medical technician licenses have been ordered to man rapid response vehicles, according to a six-minute video released Tuesday night by United Firefighters’ Association head Gerard Fitzgerald.
- PUB DATE: 4/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: New York Daily News

The city of Detroit will be the first to have specific test kits that could have results in minutes. Normally, the swab tests take days to yield results. Testing with these kits begin today but only for Detroit police, first responders and bus drivers. Instead of waiting days to get results to find out if you have the coronavirus — you get results in 15 minutes.
- PUB DATE: 4/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WXYZ-TV ABC 7 Detroit

Sacramento-area fire crews and public health officials are launching a new initiative to provide mobile health support to the community. “We’re essentially bridging the gap between emergency services and the hospital,” Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District Capt. Scott Perryman told FOX40. Think of it as an urgent care center on wheels.
- PUB DATE: 4/2/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KTXL-TV FOX 40 Sacramento