Health: Camden County Offers Special Ebola Training To First Responders
By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A special Ebola training session for Camden County first responders. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl shows us the newest protocols to guard against the deadly virus.
Gloves are the first line of defense to guard against Ebola. Camden County EMT's, paramedics, and hazmat crews had a safety briefing so they know what to do if they're called to respond to a suspected case of Ebola.
"We want to make sure that the entire community knows that we are being very proactive, very aggressive in making sure that they know what to do," said Carmen Rodriguez, a Camden County Freeholder.
The Camden County Freeholder Board sponsored a safety training session for first responders.
Doctors from Cooper University Hospital are providing the latest medical guidance from federal health officials.
"The information is constantly being updated as we learn more, as the CDC issues new guidelines," said Dr. Henry Fraimow, Cooper University Hospital's Epidemiologist.
They demonstrated PPE's, personal protective equipment, used for hazardous materials. It's what they'd wear dealing with a suspected Ebola case.
"Because of the severity of the disease, we're going as overboard as we can to make absolutely sure that we protect our first responders and our healthcare workers," said Dr. Fraimow.
Once all the gear is on it's taped in place, so there's no chance body fluids could penetrate.
"I think there's not enough info out there. We've never dealt with the situation before in the United States. So I think there are some concerns out there, and there's some reason to be afraid," said Dr. Rick Hong, an Emergency Medicine Specialist at Cooper University Hospital.
First responders were also shown the best ways to safely put the equipment on and take it off.
Camden officials said they've also established protocol. If someone calls 911 about a potential Ebola case, if it checks out with a travel history and symptoms, a special hazmat crew will respond.
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