Firefighters work relentlessly against covid-19

Since the beginning of the health emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Guayaquil Fire Department has devoted its effort and resources to humanitarian aid in the most affected sectors.

Firefighters work relentlessly against covid-19

One task is the disinfection of streets, through fumigation. The roads in sectors of Pascuales, Bastión Popular, Mucho Lote, Mapasingue, Suburbio, road to the Coast, Chongón and rural areas such as Puerto El Morro, Cerecita and Tenguel, were cleaned of covid-19 and other vectors of winter diseases.

Likewise, in collaboration with the Municipality, they fulfill the mission of assembling and delivering food baskets to people who have not been able to generate income due to the mobility restrictions in force in the country.

Psychological help, by telephone, to those directly or indirectly affected by covid-19, is another of the humanitarian services that the fire department activated since the beginning of the quarantine.

The attention is in charge of volunteer firefighters, professionals in psychology, and is directed to people with mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and other similar symptoms, which usually appear after receiving bad news.

As of last Friday, 126 calls had been answered. Specialists provide advice on coping with confinement and the illness or death of family members.

So far, the Guayaquil Fire Department has lost six members – four volunteers and two rented – due to covid-19.

One of them was Major Luis Modesto Páez, who died last Thursday, who collaborated for 55 years at the institution and was well liked by all.

Quito firefighters have biosecurity teams
The Fire Department of the Quito Metropolitan District (DMQ ) is also fumigating to decontaminate the streets of possible sources of coronavirus infection.

As of April 21, 1,080 km of avenues and sidewalks had been intervened in 155 sectors, the institution said.

In addition, staff travel the streets delivering food, water and deworming street animals, which due to the confinement that exists in the national territory, have no one to feed them.

Another of the tasks entrusted is the control of vehicles at five access points to the DMQ , where they carry out temperature checks on travelers, offer biosafety advice -such as the correct use of gloves and mask- and disinfection of motor vehicles.

They also collaborate with the transfer of minors and adults at risk to hospitals, with the delivery of food kits in the most affected sectors and the carrying out of publicity campaigns to promote respect for the curfew and comply with all the measures of biosecurity .

In order to carry out these tasks safely, the Quito Fire Brigade (CBQ) acquired 900 level 1 protective suits. This action has allowed no cases of infection or death to be recorded in its ranks to date.

“The permanent work with the community during this state of emergency, reaffirms the commitment and humanism of the firefighter. We will continue to work tirelessly for the benefit of our community, “said Esteban Cárdenas, commander of the CBQ.

In Cuenca they work at full blast
From the start of the emergency until April 24, the Cuenca Fire Department responded to 568 eventualities, including fires, medical attention, rescue of people and animals, among others.

Spraying public spaces and markets has been another of her daily tasks during the pandemic. Around 150 neighborhoods, streets and buildings have been intervened.

A digital platform was also enabled for procedures without leaving home. Issuance and renewal of operating permits, approval of fire studies and review of emergency plans are some options. (I)

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/ecuador/1/bomberos-covid-19-bioseguridad