Dozens of Vaughan firefighters begin their ‘voluntary’ COVID-19 testing

Vaughan fire department says it saw a 13 per cent increase in property fire

Yorkregion.com
May 29, 2020

About 54 Vaughan fighters began their voluntary COVID-19 testing May 28, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service Chief Deryn Rizzi said.

The news comes after Ontario Ministry of Health sent a memo May 24 widening the scope for COVID-19 testing and including asymptomatic people who fear they may have been exposed either through suspected contacts or employment.

"In support of our continued focus on reducing the spread of COVID-19, Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service, the Vaughan Professional Firefighters Association, the joint health and safety committee and the management team have collaboratively developed a voluntary opportunity, to proactively have asymptomatic firefighters tested for COVID-19 at the McKenzie Health Hospital in Richmond Hill,” Rizzi said.

The testing will be ongoing for the remainder of VFRS personnel, of whom there are 363 in total.

Firefighters are considered to be at higher risk of exposure to COVID-19, especially because property fire incidents were up by 13 per cent in Vaughan between March 17 -- the date Ontario declared a state of emergency -- and May 22, in comparison to the same period last year.

Rizzi also said there was a 39-per-cent increase in calls over false carbon monoxide alarms.

However, Vaughan saw a decrease of 62 per cent in motor vehicle collisions. Medical calls were also down by 18 per cent.