The Hingham Fire Department wants to assure Hingham residents and the greater community that the level of service they provide has not changed due to COVID-19. The Hingham Fire Department will continue to respond to all emergencies. However, beginning March 14, the department will be limiting access to the fire stations to outside visitors for events such as fire station tours, public education events, and general business.
This proactive decision limits both the inadvertent contamination of a fire station and limits the potential for transmission of infectious material to visitors. Hingham Fire crews are being diligent in cleaning fire apparatus and equipment, as well as wearing appropriate protective equipment as needed when seeing patients.
All Hingham Fire Stations have a notification posted on the door outlining the steps to take if a member of the public needs to speak with a firefighter. Hingham Fire is requesting the public to stand six feet away from the door once they ring the bell to provide appropriate social distancing. When the firefighter comes to the door, they ask the public to notify them if they have a fever, cough, or are suffering from other respiratory distress. This will allow them to provide better care to the patient while ensuring they are wearing the proper protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and masks.
The Hingham Fire Department will continue to conduct blood pressure checks for the public. These checks and collections will occur outside and maintain the six-foot distance from the front door. This change in practice allows for the Hingham Fire Department to continue providing the services the public expects while protecting the health and wellbeing of the department members, their families, and the community they serve. Hopefully, the precautions that we’ve instituted are merely a temporary inconvenience, and we look forward to better days ahead.
Visitors to Hingham Fire Stations:
Because of the Coronavirus outbreak that is now affecting Massachusetts, VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE. For the safety of our responder’s and the public, please follow these steps if you need to speak with a member of our staff.
1. Ring the doorbell.
2. Inform the staff member if you have a fever, cough, or are suffering from other respiratory distress.
IF NO ONE COMES TO THE DOOR AND THIS IS AN EMERGENCY
CALL 911
If this is not an emergency (and no one comes to the door), call 781-741-1480
If you are here for a blood pressure check or need to speak with a firefighter, please inform the firefighter who answers the doorbell and they will meet you outside of the station.