Transition 
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Free hand sanitizer, please call the EMS Council and request a FREE CASE of hand sanitizer for your EMS Agency.
COVID-19 Guidelines and Resources
The Southwest Virginia EMS Council has created this page to provide information related to the COVID-19 crisis to our regional EMS agencies and providers. We have just released guidance for EMS agencies as you respond in your communities to possible and confirmed COVID-19 cases. It is essential for EMS agencies and providers to be diligent in addressing patient care during this public health emergency. Understanding proper techniques for limiting exposure and the spread of disease is vital. The resources linked below contain the latest available information. Refer to these sites frequently. Review guidelines for proper use of PPE, and pay attention to urgent communications being sent by various stakeholders. To assist our agencies and providers, new protocols and guidelines have been approved by the regional Medical Direction Committee for immediate implementation. Please discuss these with your operational medical direction. These are available on our mobile app and attached here:
Antigen Testing for EMS Providers
Antigen Testing For EMS Agencies
Safety Protocols
pdf COVID-19 Patient Treatment Protocol (214 KB)
pdf Alternate Destination Guidelines (203 KB)
pdf COVID-19 Patient Screening Protocol (274 KB)
pdf COVID-19 Non-Transport Protocol (585 KB)
pdf COVID-19 911/Dispatch Recommended Screening Protocol (126 KB)
pdf EMS Personnel Screening Protocol (419 KB)
Helpful Tips
pdf Visiting the ER PSA (219 KB)
End of Shift Safety Precautions
FEMA Infection Control and Respirator Usage
pdf Burnout Self Care COVID-19 Exposure for First Responders (430 KB)
pdf Burnout Self Care COVID-19 Exposure for Families of First Responders (353 KB)
Other COVID-19 Informational Resources
OSHA Covid-19 Guidelines for Emergency Responders
National Fire & EMS Personnel Impact Dashboard
BATTELLE DECON SYSTEM
Battelle PPE Decontamination System Now Operational
- pdf Registration for the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System Email (472 KB)
- pdf Instructions for Healthcare Personnel (131 KB)
- pdf Instructions for Healthcare Facilities (174 KB)
- pdf Box Label Packaging UN 3373 (1.55 MB)
- document BATTELLE Logs Plan (16.01 MB)
- pdf Battelle CCDS Fact Sheet (143 KB)
- pdf Shipping Doc Example (80 KB)
- pdf Battelle CCDS How it Works (391 KB)
The Southwest Virginia EMS Council has received a small cache of PPE from the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). Not all anticipated supplies have been received at this time; however, we will post a request form in the near future where EMS agencies may request supplies as soon as all items are received. Designated Emergency Response Agencies (DERAs) receive first priority, and allocation is based on need considering multiple factors. We cannot guarantee that agencies will receive everything requested; however, we are trying to meet immediate needs as much as possible.
A link to the request form has been sent to EMS Agency Super-Users. If your agency has not received that form link, please contact our office to update your contact information.
