COVID-19 Impact on Fire & EMS Update

April 24, 2020

Results From Week 5 of the NVFC Survey to Document the Challenges that Volunteer Emergency Services Face Related to Social Distancing and COVID-19

The NVFC created a survey to better understand the experiences of volunteer and combination fire, EMS, and rescue departments dealing with the outbreak of COVID-19 and related social distancing measures. Click here to view the results of the survey from the past week. We encourage you to take the survey weekly so we can track changing needs and challenges.

Financial Assistance Available through First Responders Children’s Foundation

The First Responders Children’s Foundation is providing financial support to first responder families who are enduring financial hardship due to the coronavirus outbreak. First responders, including volunteer firefighters and EMS providers, can apply for $1,000 grants to help offset the financial impact to their families caused by COVID-19. Other areas of assistance include funeral expenses for first responders who have died of COVID-19, community grants to public safety agencies affected by COVID-19, and college scholarships for children of first responders who have died or are disabled. Learn more here, or apply for assistance here.

CDC/NIOSH, FBI Issue Warnings About Counterfeit Respirators

On April 21, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation issued warnings about fraudulent respirators and personal protective equipment that have entered the supply chain. Click here for more information.

DHS Science and Technology Office Seeking Feedback on Operational Impacts of COVID-19

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Science and Technology has created a survey to measure the impacts on emergency response operations related to COVID-19. The survey will be distributed every 4-6 weeks, and responses to the first iteration of the survey are due by April 30. Click here to learn more and to take the survey.

First Responders Peer-to-Peer App

This is a difficult time for many first responders, and it is important to be able to connect with others who know what you are going through. The All Clear Foundation is currently providing subscription-free access to their ResponderRel8 app. Through this app, first responders can connect directly and anonymously with colleagues to share information, stressors, or experiences. Learn more here. Download the app here.

More Information

Find additional resources and information relating to COVID-19 and the fire, EMS, and rescue services on our COVID-19 landing page.