The number of city of Spokane firefighters in quarantine continues to drop, but department leaders will remain vigilant and adhere to a requirement that employees wear masks around-the-clock.

Only five firefighters were in quarantine on Wednesday, a precipitous drop from 33 the department reported out of work on March 19, amounting to about 10% of the workforce.

Of the 16 firefighters tested for COVID-19, none have been positive, according to Deputy Fire Chief Jay Atwood.

The department saw an immediate reduction in the number of sidelined firefighters when it updated its quarantine policy in line with state Department of Health guidelines, which do not recommend quarantining a first responder who has only had contact with a person potentially infected with the disease.

The department now only necessitates a quarantine if the firefighter is symptomatic.

It’s unclear exactly why the department has been in relatively good health, but Atwood suggested a few possible explanations.

It employs a rigorous screening process of its firefighters and utilizes a 24/7 telephone hotline that helps first responders assess whether or not they should be tested for COVID-19 or isolate.

“We’ve had a few cases where it was determined they were just sick, and didn’t fit the criteria for COVID,” Atwood said.

Any firefighters with COVID-19 symptoms are isolated and tested.

The department now requires employees wear protective masks at all times, whether they are in the station or responding to a call. Although they’re relying heavily on reusable masks – and only sparingly using the medical-grade N95 masks in short supply throughout the country – Atwood said they are “better than absolutely nothing.”

“Everybody’s embraced it, it’s part of the culture now. It’s just what we do,” Atwood said.

Overall, the department has actually seen a reduction in its call volume, about 80 to 85 percent of which is typically medical. Atwood said the drop hasn’t been substantial but compared to the same period last year, the department responded to fewer calls in five of the last seven days.

The good health of firefighters, which Atwood acknowledged could still “turn on a dime,” might be “a combination of our best practices in the station and the public at large following suit with what the governor, CDC and health district have recommended.”

One firefighter had flu-like symptoms and was hospitalized, but has since been released, according to Atwood. The firefighter, who has underlying health issues, tested negative for COVID-19. He is not expected to return to work any time soon.

Two firefighters have voluntarily made use of a temporary quarantine facility established in Fire Station Six, located near the Spokane International Airport. They left once they were told that the patient they were concerned about potentially contracting COVID-19 from had tested negative for the disease.