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Station No. 15 Closed, Firefighters Quarantined after Responding to Coronavirus Patient

South Fulton firefighters who responded to a 911 call at Bear Creek Middle School on Friday have been quarantined. The school called for emergency responders after a teacher fell ill. That teacher has since tested positive for coronavirus, prompting Fulton County Schools to close all offices and schools today.

All of the firefighters who responded to the call have been quarantined at their homes for a total of 14 days per the direction of the City’s Medical Director Dr. James Augustine. None of the firefighters are displaying signs or symptoms of the virus.

Fire Chief Freddie Broome has also temporarily closed Fire Station 15 located at 6720 Cedar Grove Road as a precaution to protect fire rescue personnel.

Firefighters working other shifts at Station 15 have been reassigned to work at other stations. Fire personnel in conjunction with Risk Management are working to sanitize Station 15 to ensure the safety of firefighters and the community.  The cleaning will include a surface cleaning with approved EPA products and use of an Ozone machine to deplete the Oxygen levels, therefore killing the virus.

The City of South Fulton currently has an Automatic Aide Agreement with both the City of Fairburn and the City of Union City. Each agency will provide assistance in the event of a fire to ensure there is adequate coverage for the residents in the area of Station No. 15.

In a statement issued by the city: “We take great care of our fire personnel and want to ensure the integrity of the facility and other first responders are taken care of.  The safety of all residents – and city staff – remains the city’s top priority.”

The city continues to work closely with Fulton County health officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the situation. Residents should check the city’s website and social media outlets for regular updates.

The city has adjusted its operating hours for today, Tuesday, March 10. All city offices will open to the public at 12 p.m. Residents are urged to remain calm and follow preventative measures, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a face mask.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
  • Educate yourself about the virus. Check out these websites for more information:
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
  • Georgia Department of Public Health – dph.georgia.gov

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