On March 9, 2020, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) responded to a patient in cardiac arrest. Our personnel provided our standard excellent patient care and managed to resuscitate and transport the patient to a local area hospital. Unfortunately, the patient passed away. The County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health (DPH) later confirmed that the patient had COVID-19. LACoFD expresses its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and friends of the patient who sadly succumbed to this illness.
The safety and welfare of our first responders is of the utmost importance to our Department. Therefore, LACoFD personnel exposed to the patient have been isolated from work and are now undergoing active monitoring at home. Our personnel are currently symptom free and are being reviewed regularly for any developing symptoms.
In addition, LACoFD has existing protocol and procedures on protective equipment and safe patient handling in regards to COVID-19, which are consistent with guidelines set forth by DPH and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Further, our 9-1-1 dispatch protocols include recommendations from DPH to ensure the optimal handling of calls related to COVID-19. We will continue to adhere to these guidelines moving forward.
All information regarding the medical status of patients and first responders is confidential and/or protected by HIPAA.
For additional information on COVID-19 please contact County of Los Angeles Public Health at (213) 240-8144, or visit their website publichealth.lacounty.gov.
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