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Clearwater County Ambulance Service shares COVID-19 awareness, prevention info


by Darby Zick, EMS Director

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, Clearwater County Ambulance Service (CCAS) would like to remind the public of a few key elements to help protect yourself and your first responders.


If you call 911, please let dispatchers know if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. This will be vital in ensuring our responders are outfitted with proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to protect themselves and you. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) does not recommend facemasks for people who are not sick. These should be reserved for those caring for a sick patient and those who are sick themselves. With the national shortage of PPE, the ambulance service is in immediate risk of running out. If our providers become sick, whether it be COVID19 or another disease, they will be unable to respond to emergency calls in the county.

As a volunteer service, our providers are giving their time and risking their health to care for you through this time. In order to protect our vital resources, we have implemented additional questions that dispatchers may ask when fielding a medical 911 call. If you are experiencing cough, fever, or shortness of breath and want advice on what to do, you can contact Clearwater Valley Hospital at 208-476-4555.

CCAS is committed to protecting you! In order to best accomplish this, we are temporarily limiting access to our Ambulance Offices to employees only. We encourage the public to interact with us via phone during this time. We have taken steps to ensure that our cleaning and sanitizing protocols are being followed rigorously by all crews after each ambulance call. We have also designated one ambulance to respond to calls associated with possible COVID19. This will minimize the risk of exposing patients who are experiencing everyday emergencies.

Please remember these five actions to help protect yourself and your neighbor:

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use hand sanitizer when hand washing is unavailable.
  • Avoid touching your face, including eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cover your cough and sneeze.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with others.

If you have any questions about the status of the disease in our state please visit coronavirus.idaho.gov for more information.

As always, our service is in need of responders and drivers. If you are interested in joining our team and giving back to your community in Orofino, Pierce, Weippe, or Elk River, please contact us at 208-476-3771 or email dzick@clearwatercounty.org.

Stay safe and stay healthy!


Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Phone: (208) 476-0733
Fax: (208) 476-4140
Email