Columbus Firefighter Tests Positive for COVID-19
A Columbus Division of Fire firefighter/EMT tested positive
for COVID-19. The firefighter, who was assigned to Fire Station 24 at Karl and
Morse Roads, became ill last week. Following the direction of Franklin County
Public Health, the firefighter has been isolated at their home and is under a
physician’s care.
Fire Station 24 that serves the Northland neighborhood is
out of service to be professionally sanitized. It will be back online later
this afternoon. The emergency vehicles – a medic, engine and ladder – have been
decontaminated.
Thirty-one firefighters who had contact with this individual
at the station are currently being evaluated. Franklin County Public Health is
working with the Columbus Division of Fire to contact anyone else with whom the
firefighter had contact, including those who he may have interacted with during
service calls.
“Our firefighters and EMTs are on the front line, serving
the community every day,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “We must protect both
the public and our first responders, which requires the temporary closing of
the station and the evaluation of the firefighters who worked there. Calls for
service will not be interrupted.”
“We are well prepared for emergencies, including the
outbreak of COVID-19,” said Fire Chief Kevin O’Connor. “Because our
firefighters work in teams and they train together, eat together and sleep in
the same areas, they are at risk for possible exposure. We must be diligent in
protecting our greatest assets -- our firefighter/EMTs – so that they can
continue to protect and serve the people of Columbus.”
If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, please
call Columbus Public Health
at 614-645-1519 or Ohio Department of
Health at 1-833-427-5634.