FORT WORTH (1080 KRLD) - Police, firefighters and paramedics in 11 cities in North Texas received a donation of sanitizer this week. The material, provided by Dalworth Restoration, is designed to form a barrier on areas where it is applied, so first responders can put it on before they respond to a call.
"We have been very, very blessed by community partners stepping up in a big way," says the Fort Worth Fire Department's Mike Drivdahl. "Whether it's hand sanitizer, a barrier like this, masks we can give city employees, it's been a real game-changer for us."
Drivdahl says police, firefighters and paramedics respond to 911 calls immediately, but if the caller reports symptoms of COVID-19, the call-taker will ask additional question while first responders head to the address.
"We never really know what we're going to, but through some steps we've taken, it's definitely an improvement," he says.
Through Thursday, 12 Dallas police officers and seven Fort Worth police officers have tested positive for COVID-19. No Fort Worth firefighters have tested positive for the virus.
"I think that is very much because we put some things into place very early on in the process," Drivdahl says. "
He says the Fort Worth Fire Department acquired more personal protective equipment early and stopped firefighters from transferring among different stations.
"It's been stressful," Drivdahl says. "Anytime you go through an operation that's lasted six, seven, eight weeks, it's taxing on your mind, it's taxing on your body, and it's taxing on your resources."
Dalworth Restoration donated 2,600 bottles of sanitizer to Fort Worth police, firefighters and paramedics in the city. The company delivered a total of 4,300 bottles to 11 cities: Bedford, Colleyville, Euless, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Hurst, Keller, North Richland Hills, Southlake and Trophy Club.