ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, has partnered with Sunstar Paramedics, to deploy COVID-19 Strike Teams.
The strike teams will respond to emergency calls where it's known that COVID-19 is present.
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The 18 crew members who volunteered to be on the three strike teams will be dressed from head to toe in protective gear.
The goal is to reduce the number of first responders who are exposed to the virus.
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"If we’re going to be successful in our community before this ramps up, then we need to be proactive. We need to be boarding up the windows before the wind starts to blow, so to speak, and that is really what this effort is about," said Ian Womack, Rescue Chief for St. Petersburg Fire Rescue.
There will be three COVID-19 crews located throughout the city of St. Petersburg. They are not allowed at the fire stations, instead, they’ll be operating out of three different park recreation centers.
Right now the plan is to have the teams in place for a 30-day period, but that could be extended.
