Harrisonburg and Rockingham County partner up to deep-clean ambulances

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Harrisonburg Fire Department, Harrisonburg Rescue Squad, and Rockingham County Fire and Rescue have partnered up to deep clean ambulances that have carried high-risk patients and patients with potential or confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Lt. Dennis Albertson, with Rockingham County Fire and Rescue, said crews always wipe down their vehicles after taking a patient to the hospital.

But he said now, as an extra precaution, any emergency vehicle that may have come into contact with a patient with COVID-19 is deep-cleaned in the city's facility off of Maryland Ave.

"Our ambulances are always clean, they're always inspected and we make sure the level of safety we provide is a very high level," Lt. Albertson said. " We're going above and beyond because of the concerns of the type of virus it is and some of the unknowns."

He said two staff members wear chemical resistance suits with a respirator mask and spray down the vehicle. The spray is a thin mist made up a chlorine-oxide product.

Lt. Albertson said as the product is sprayed, it kills bacteria and viruses, such as COVID-19.

"We've disinfected every ambulance that's been in service in the last couple of weeks just to give it a thorough cleaning to start with, " Lt. Albertson said. "Basically it's a clean slate now, we're just keeping up with it."

Lt. Albertson said they have extra staff working to help with the deep cleaning process, which takes about 25 minutes before a vehicle is out again ready to help others.

The city of Harrisonburg has

that two city ambulances have been dedicated to responding to the ongoing outbreak at Accordius Health.