City taking extra precautions for emergency services personnel

Published 1:02 pm Wednesday, March 25, 2020

The City of Washington is working to reduce the spread of COVID-19, through social distancing while still maintaining service to the public. In order to limit the exposure of Washington public safety personnel during the performance of their duties the following safety precaution guidelines are in effect.
WASHINGTON POLICE DEPARTMENT

  • Personnel will continue to respond to emergency calls for service involving crime in progress or other incidents threatening someone’s wellbeing or life, following standard procedure.
  • Emergency calls include vehicle wrecks, injured persons, serious medical issues and major crimes such as robberies, burglaries, assaults and incidents involving children that are happening at the time of the call.
  • Non-Emergency calls include fraud, prior assaults that occurred days before being reported and other issues that are not life-threatening.
  • Non-Emergency reports may be taken over the phone.
  • When officers do respond in person, they may ask the caller to step outside to talk and/or utilize additional personnel protective equipment such as, gloves or mask, if needed.
  • Police Department will be closed to the public. Citizens will have access to an intercom in the main entrance.

The following services are suspended until further notice:

  • Finger printing
  • Animal complaints; unless animal is vicious
  • Vehicle unlocks; unless a citizen’s safety is of concern
  • Any other non-essential functions

Reports can be obtained Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency calls will be dispatched, as usual.
WASHINGTON FIRE/RESCUE/EMS

  • The Washington Fire/EMS personnel will follow the protocols and guidelines as established by the Beaufort County Health Department and the Beaufort County Medical Director, as needed.
  • The fire department will be closed to the public.