As most know it was reported that on Saturday March 14th our department held our awards banquet that a person who later was tested positive for COVID-19 was in attendance. Anyone who was in contact or the vicinity of this person was contacted by the Department of Health and placed on precautionary quarantine for fourteen days from the date of the event. Since then everyone has been cleared, and we do not believe it originated there. Precautions were taken to cancel Bingo and our March breakfast earlier being the normal attendance is that of those who are highly vulnerable to contract the virus. The night before our banquet at 5p.m. Governor Cuomo place a ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people. At our banquet there were about 125 people in attendance of which about 90% were our own people. On Monday things changed rapidly going from gatherings at first of no more than 50 then reduced to 10. Schools closed and restaurants started serving take out only. The executive board held an emergency meeting and cancelled all activities including drills and trainings until April 13th, which will be evaluated at that time and adjusted as necessary. Emergency responses continue using station response only, minimal manpower going inside and using N-95 respirators or self-contained breathing apparatus.
The people in our community will always come first. Our responders, families and friends all live in this community and we would never intentionally want to put them or anyone in harm’s way. We take pride in what we do here and other communities who call for our help. We wish you all to stay safe and healthy during this pandemic and most of all, stay calm.
Respectfully Submitted,
John Conrad Sr.
Public Information Officer
The Bath Volunteer Fire Dept.
