In response to Coronavirus COVID-19, the Villages of La Grange, La Grange Park, and Western Springs, in concert with the Lyons Township Area Communications Center (LTACC), and under the direction of the Emergency Medical Services of Loyola University Health System, have developed a standard set of protocols for patient care, employee safety, and to safeguard public health.
For the past several weeks, dispatchers have been asking 9-1-1 callers reporting an illness or similar medical condition questions to ascertain if the patient has any flu-like symptoms, has traveled to China in the last 14 days, or has come in contact with someone who has traveled to China in the last 14 days. Emergency personnel will respond in their usual expedient manner; however, once on the scene will take deliberate actions to evaluate the medical condition of the patient and will limit exposure to a minimum number of emergency personnel. This means that emergency personnel may be wearing protective clothing, and may place protective clothing or masks on the patient.
While there are currently no known cases of Coronavirus in the immediate area, LTACC, along with local hospital networks, are taking actions to reduce the risk and to provide the safest possible environment for residents and emergency response personnel. To that end, we continue to train our personnel in these protocols, share medical information and updates, and develop contingency plans to assist each participating community, should resources be otherwise committed.
As the Coronavirus situation evolves, LTACC will continue to work with federal and state agencies, cooperate on an intergovernmental basis, and coordinate with our resource hospital - Loyola Medical Center. To learn more about Coronavirus symptoms and available resources, please click here.
As always, in the event of an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.