Fire Chief Releases Leadership Response Team Information

Local response group formed to assist in keeping the public informed on news and announcements regarding the coronavirus

Information submitted by Chelan Fire and Rescue

The group represents schools, health agencies, first responders and others. Chelan Fire and Rescue Chief Mark Donnell provides an update on suggestions for the community.

Media Release

With the recent confirmation of the COVID-19 virus present in Chelan we would like to remind everyone the need to remain diligent in following the precautions as outlined by Chelan-Douglas County Public Health, the Washing State Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control. Please be responsible in following the current recommendations posted:

People over age 60, those with major chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory problems, and pregnant women are urged to stay home as much as possible to minimize exposure to the virus.
Good hygiene practice is most important especially washing your hands, covering your cough/sneeze, maintaining social distancing, and staying home if you are sick.
If you believe that you have the virus (fever > 100.4 or higher, cough/sneeze, shortness of breath, flu-like signs/symptoms) we recommend the following steps:
- If your signs and/or symptoms are serious, please stay at home and call 911.
- If your signs and/or symptoms are not serious, please stay at home and contact your healthcare provider or Lake Chelan Community Hospital ER for best care options.
- You can also contact the Confluence Health COVID-19 Hotline at (509)663-8711 for guidance as well.
Finally, make sure to take care of yourselves, your families, and your neighbors in need. As a community that cares we will beat this.
It is important to note that this virus has been in our area for some time and we will see more confirmed cases as test results start coming in. Our message to the community is still the same as outlined in the above media release with the emphasis now not on how to avoid catching this virus but on how to stop it’s transmission. We will continue working under operational guidance from Chelan-Douglas County Public and Chelan County Emergency Management in putting out a consistent message to our community.
Many of you have been updating your websites and getting good information out to the public. Please keep up that good work. I recommend listing the links for the CDC, WA State Department of Health, and Chelan-Douglas County Public Health as these sites all have excellent information regarding COVID-19 and are the sites that we are working from as well.
As I read yesterday’s emails it is apparent that we will need to break down into more manageable operational groups during this period. I am recommending that we break down into: Emergency Management (Fire, EMS, Police, LCCH, Public Health, Emergency Management), Community Service (Schools, THRIVE, Hope link, Food Bank, Volunteers), and Business Community (HDCA, Chelan & Manson Chambers). I foresee that each of these groups will have tremendous workload and recommend that we designate a liaison officer for each group to provide communications between the respective groups. I am also recommending that we consider a PIO (or PIO team) that be the face(s) for delivering a consistent message to our community.
As we move forward, I am also recommending that the separate groups establish their respective operations centers and command structures. If you need assistance on getting this done we can help.