Cal Fire adds screening plan for crews fighting fires during coronavirus pandemic

As fire season ramps up larger fires have become inevitable throughout California. Agencies have begun reconfiguring operations to mitigate the spread of COVID 19 amongst first responders and potential evacuees.

Cal Fire started testing out what is known as the Mass Fever Screening System. It aims at detecting warmer temperatures among several crew members by monitoring them through thermal imaging. The system is currently being used at the Hog Fire in Lassen County.

"[It's] a mass trailer that we’re using that we can screen several hundred firefighters coming through there and basically seeing if their temperatures are elevated-- well over 100 degrees. Using that infrared technology anybody who obviously has an elevated temperature will be screened separately. Once they exit that they’ll have a COVID 19 screening station where their temperature will be taken with a thermometer," Capt. Fernando Herrera with Cal Fire said.

The system is supposed to detect the color red on a person's forehead or neck. Someone who displays the color will need to step aside to undergo a more in-depth screening process.

"And then they’ll be asked a series of questions and so forth and then we’ll determine whether or not that person can continue on the assignment," Capt. Herrera said.

The system is to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus, especially when hundreds of firefighters are responding to a major incident. It is still currently being tested.

One factor that could affect the color system is the fact that firefighters may already have warmer temperatures after being in scorching heat for extended periods of time.

"This is not a perfect system, this is just one way to evaluate and see if that is going to work for us," Capt. Herrera said.

A person may need to step aside to cool down before having their temperature taken again.

The new technology is one aspect of emergency services adjusting to the new normal during a pandemic.

"What a shelter looks like inside is also going to be different," Emergency Management Department Public Information Officer, Shane Reichardt said.

In the event of evacuations, Reichardt said cots will be spaced out and meals will be pre-packaged.

"We’re going to ask people to remain in their vehicles. We’re going to have a team of screeners. We’re going to go around to each vehicle and screen them and people without symptoms that are not under quarantine, there’s nothing concerning there, will be admitted into that shelter," Reichardt said.

Those who are in quarantine may be designated to another site, such as the Federal Medical Station in Indio. Reichardt said it is supplied, but not staffed. Workers will be deployed there if necessary.

"If we need to we would activate additional shelters so that we can make sure everybody gets cared for," said Reichardt.

Agencies may have to use multiple sites depending on the amount of evacuees, in order to limit how many people are under one roof.