“The Critical Role First Responders play in Public Health: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency” 

In Washington, First Responders – like Fire & EMS agencies – have worked in close partnership with public health agencies to tackle complex public health emergencies – like Cardiac Events, The Opioid Epidemic and most recently – the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

During the Pandemic, many Fire & EMS agencies in Washington took the lead in local emergency response and coordinated with public health to administer millions of COVID-19 tests and thousands of vaccinations. 

Although the emergency proclamations for COVID-19 have ended, the partnerships, the learnings, and the work continues. 

Join us on Thursday, March 9th to hear leaders in EMS and Public Health share lessons learned during the pandemic, hear from agencies improving access to COVID-19 testing in their community, and explore how Fire & EMS and public health can continue to impact COVID-19 response. 

More information and registration link coming soon.

About the Learning Network 

The Learning Network is a platform for First Responder agencies. It promotes learning, fosters the spread of best practices, and examines sustainability of services in partnership with the Washington state Department of Health.

The Learning Network is a free and open resource for all Washington based First Responders – both those enrolled in WA COVID-19 and those not enrolled. All are welcome to participate, learn, and share. 

The Federal government’s coronavirus public health emergencies will expire in May 2023. Since the pandemic began, millions of Americans have received free COVID-19 tests, treatments, and vaccines as a result of the emergency declarations. The end of the emergency will result in complex changes to the cost and accessibility of COVID care across the US. 

In Washington state, most programs that provide equitable access to testing and testing services will continue even after the federal emergency proclamations have ended.  

Here’s what we know:

• The Washington State Department of Health (WA DOH) is expected to provide testing supplies and services for the following groups beyond May 2023:
  • Community Based Testing Sites and high-vulnerability communities via Local Health Jurisdictions and Tribal Partners.
  • Fire/EMS agencies via the WA COVID-19 program, homeless shelters, independent pharmacies, and agricultural workers in coordination with local/state agency partners.
  • K-12 schools via the Learn to Return school testing program.
  • General public via the Say Yes! COVID Test program through which Washingtonians can order free rapid antigen tests.  
• Federally implemented testing access via ICATT (Increasing Community Access to Testing) pharmacy testing, LTS Testing Kiosks, and federally-qualified food bank networks is also expected to continue beyond May 2023.

Here’s what we don’t know: 

• We don’t know how long these testing programs will continue after the federal emergency proclamations have ended in May. We will provide updates via the WA COVID-19 newsletter in the coming months.

Read more: What does the end of the federal emergency mean in Washington State at this time?

Although federal COVID-19 emergency funding ends in May, the pandemic itself is not over. As of February 7, 2023, there are still approximately 450 COVID-19 deaths daily in the United States. It remains critically important that people who are exposed to COVID-19, or think they have been exposed, help prevent the spread of the virus to others. 

On February 8, 2023, DOH released updated guidance for those potentially exposed to COVID-19. 

Here’s what you need to know:

The Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Decision Trees for the General Public have been updated to reflect WA DOH guidance for people who have COVID-19 symptoms and people who have been exposed to COVID-19. The decision trees are for the general public and non-health care settings, including schools and child care settings. 

Updated decision trees: What to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms & What to do if you have been exposed to COVID-19

Additional information is available in these helpful DOH Fact Sheets:

• What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
• What to do if you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 

The WA COVID-19 toolbox is loaded with new and updated resources to help you and your team navigate the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 testing. The toolbox includes a range of useful materials – from testing resources and patient handouts, to instructional videos, toolkits, grant information, and Learning Network videos (coming soon!).