Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service Personnel Test Positive for COVID-19

For Immediate Release: Friday, March 27, 2020

Four Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) personnel have tested positive for COVID-19. In all four cases, involving career and volunteer members, none have originated from contacts at work. County public health officials are leading the investigation and are working with MCFRS to notify anyone who may have had contact with these individuals.

To date, a total of 19 career and volunteer members of MCFRS have been quarantined, including the four who tested positive. MCFRS has plans in place to keep staffing levels up to appropriate levels should additional personnel be affected by COVID-19.

“MCFRS remains fully capable to answer the community’s 911 calls with dedicated career and volunteer providers,” said MCFRS Chief Scott Goldstein. “We have appropriate levels of personal protective equipment and continue to follow guidance that has been set forth for station and vehicle cleaning.”

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important for everyone to take serious precautions. Staying home and practicing social distancing as much as possible is critical to stopping the spread of the illness. There is no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. Therefore, it is important to take preventative steps to slow the spread of the illness.

• Limit trips outside the home to essential travel only and be sure to stay at least six feet away from anyone who is not a member of your household.
• Avoid gathering in groups.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using standard cleaning practices.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  If you are sick, stay home except to get medical care. 

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is one of the largest combination career/volunteer departments in the United States. MCFRS is an all hazard department comprised of nearly 2,700 career and volunteer personnel.

For the latest COVID-19 updates, visit the County’s COVID-19 website and follow Montgomery County on Facebook and Twitter.

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Release ID: 20-140
Media Contact: Julie Parker 240-777-6507