Manager: Ashland Fire & Police Taking Precautions To Stay Safe During COVID-19 Crisis

ASHLAND – Last week, Ashland firefighters transported five residents from the Waterview Lodge Rehabilitation & Healthcare facility to Framingham Union Hospital. All five of those individuals tested positive for COVID-19.

As of today, April 14, none of the firefighters have tested positive for the coronavirus, said Ashland Town Manager Michael Herbert.

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The Town of Ashland also has not had any police officers test positive for COVID-19.

Neighboring Framingham has three officers who have tested positive and 10 in quarantine.

“We have had a few get tested but all have come back negative,’ said Herbert about his fire and police departments.

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“My departments have taken this very seriously since the beginning,” said Herbert. “They instituted protocols and procedures immediately to limit the potential for exposure.”

For example, the Ashland Police Department does a virtual rollcall, said Herbert.

“The officers are not to congregate in the station,” added Herbert.

“The officers are staggering when they come into the station,” said Herbert.

The fire department has its gear to protect them on calls.

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And under the Governor’s order, both the police and fire department know which homes in the community have a resident, who has tested positive.

Residents are still asked to tell dispatchers if they are positive or suspect someone in the house could be positive when calling Ashland Fire or Ashland Police, to help protect the first responders.