Maynard Firefighters Continue to Update Training Protocols Against Threat of Ebola

For Immediate Release

Friday, Dec. 19, 2014

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 978-841-9948
Email: john@jgpr.net

Maynard Firefighters Continue to Update Training Protocols Against Threat of Ebola

MAYNARD — Fire Chief Anthony Stowers reports that the Maynard Fire Department has completed an updated response guideline for possible cases of the Ebola Virus. Although the probability of responding to such a case is a remote, the MFD understands the need to be properly prepared.

Maynard Firefighters have a newly updated response guideline in place. They have completed training on this new specific response guideline and plan to continue the trainings in the future. The response guideline was developed in cooperation with other area fire departments that could also face a similar virus outbreak situation.

One of the vital response practices the department is training on is the proper donning of hazardous materials suits. The outbreak and persistence of the Ebola Virus has moved first responders to update the way they use Hazmat suits. You can see Angela Lawless, a Firefighter on Group 4, practicing in the photos below.

Ebola is a rare and deadly disease which is caused by an infection with a strain of the Ebola virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls the 2014 Ebola Virus outbreak the worst outbreak in history. Around the world, first responders are updating their guidelines for handling all infectious diseases. The outbreak mainly affected multiple countries in West Africa. There is a very low risk of an Ebola outbreak affecting multiple people in the U.S.

For more questions about the Ebola virus and how to protect yourself, please visit the Town of Maynard Public Health Division’s “Ebola Virus” article at http://www.townofmaynard-ma.gov/municipal-services/public-health/ebola-virus/

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