COVID-19 directly affecting emergency response times in Carroll County

Posted: Dec 5, 2020 / 12:38 PM EST / Updated: Dec 5, 2020 / 12:38 PM EST

CARROLL COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – As COVID-19 continues to spread across the Commonwealth, one locality, in particular, is dealing with a big problem.

Carroll County leaders are saying fire and rescue may be experiencing longer response times due to COVID-19 related challenges and high call volumes.

The information was posted to Carroll County’s Facebook page.

WFXR News reached out to the Carroll County Emergency Services Coordinator who said the department has been experiencing longer wait times since Dec. 1.

As of Friday, six personnel are currently in quarantine. Two of those have positive cases of COVID-19.

This is the first time the agency has been significantly impacted.

Before the start of the pandemic, career staffing had some vacancies, so they have been operating with minimal staff from the beginning.

To this point, their quarantined staff number is split between two of their three shifts which means that these shifts are operating at one response truck less than normal.

Carroll County is working with surrounding localities to provide mutual aid and volunteers are stepping up to help fill the void and alleviate some of the longer response times.

Inside of the office, all staff is working while wearing masks and social distancing is being met.

Crews are also not rotating partners, trucks or stations at this time and everything is being cleaned thoroughly, multiple times per shift.