Message from Chief Fernando Gray -
Department Response to COVID-19
As Aurora’s Fire Chief I want to send a message to our community during this unprecedented time in our history. My hope is that you read this message and are encouraged that the 450+ men and women of Aurora Fire Rescue are well-trained, professional and courageous in service to our community during this crisis.
Our commitment to compassionate patient care is unwavering during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aurora Fire Rescue Executive Staff has developed alternative staffing models for administrative positions and have also enacted portions of our Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). We will redirect resources as needed to ensure that our line personnel have the appropriate support needed to respond to you in the safest way possible. Here on our website you may notice that we’ve suspended all of our community outreach programs, reallocating resources where necessary. We have always promised to uphold the following values – this is what you can expect from every level of the organization:
Respect • Integrity • Professionalism • Customer Service
Aurora Fire Rescue follows written EMS protocols and response guidelines which are being reviewed and adapted regularly in order to best respond during this outbreak. We work with local physicians and medical experts to ensure our firefighters and paramedics are trained and equipped to meet the needs of our patients.
On behalf of the organization, I want to commend local health care workers and area hospitals that have responded with great professionalism and urgency to the demands placed on them during this time. We are proud of the partnerships we’ve formed with University of Colorado Hospital (UCHealth), Children’s Hospital Colorado and The Medical Center of Aurora. These three facilities are an asset to our residents and to the state of Colorado; our department will continue to work closely and collaborate with them.
In conjunction with the Aurora’s Office of Emergency Management we continually assess the situation from a national, regional and local perspective to ensure we’re prepared to meet Aurora’s specific needs. This allows us to model the best practices that have been implemented in patient care across the country. It also allows us to monitor the most up-to-date guidance on personal protective equipment recommendations for our personnel in order to limit exposure to our community.
I hope you’ll join me in recognizing the members of Aurora Fire Rescue, the men and women who are prepared to respond 24/7 in all conditions. They are united in their mission to provide you with the upmost professional care and I have great confidence in their dedication. For future updates and helpful messages during the COVID-19 pandemic, please follow our social media channels.