On Monday, March 16, 2020, the Countryside Fire Protection District elevated our internal disaster readiness plan in response to the growing threat that the COVID-19 response will challenge essential emergency services. As a result of Countryside’s operational changes, all non-emergent activities are canceled for the foreseeable future and our stations have been closed to the public.
We continue to work closely with all of our jurisdictional leadership as well as with our public safety partners. Contingency plans are in place in the event our Firemedics become stricken as we prepare for what could be a long campaign against this dangerous illness.
Countryside would like to remind the public of the Illinois Department of Public Health’s recommendations: “If you are sick and have respiratory symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath, stay home unless you need medical attention. Remain in your home until you feel better and have no symptoms. Keep in mind there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill can isolate at home. While at home, as much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people. Those who need medical attention should contact their health care provider who will evaluate whether they can be cared for at home or need to be hospitalized.” Our greatest threat is the overwhelming of the healthcare systems. We need as many healthy medical providers available as possible to tend to the anticipated number of seriously ill patients we will be receiving.
For a downloadable brochure please click here.
For general questions about COVID-19, please call 1-800-889-3931 or email DPH.SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV.
Additional Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Lake County Health Department
Illinois Department of Public Health
Translated COVID-19 Guidelines