Release Date: April 14,2020
City of Akron Workers Proactively Disinfecting City Buildings and Vehicles
Cruisers, EMS vehicles, fire trucks, workspaces and fire stations being sanitized regularly
Akron, Ohio, April 14, 2020 – At the beginning of April, Mayor Horrigan deployed City Service Department employees for the primary purpose of decontaminating and disinfecting City buildings and vehicles, including cruisers, EMS vehicles, and fire trucks used by our Akron safety forces. The decon sprayers are being fashioned from battery operated foggers, airless paint sprayers and backpack sprayers. Service workers are working in shifts around the clock to keep up with the decontamination process and procedures.
“This is just one more way that we can keep our people safe during the COVID-19 response, and it truly reflects the creativity and dedication of our City workers. I applaud our employees who are working diligently to decontaminate our City buildings and vehicles, doing everything in their power to stop the spread of this virus. We will continue to look for innovative ways to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and put the health and wellbeing of our essential workers and the public first,” said Mayor Dan Horrigan.
Patrol vehicles and ambulances are being decontaminated and sanitized at least once per day, and often once per shift. This involves wiping down the computer monitors and keyboards in the vehicles and then using a decon sprayer, which is connected to an air compressor, to spray down the interior and exterior of the vehicles with a sanitizing spray. This effort not only improves the working conditions for our public safety officers but also helps keep any citizen who is riding in our patrol cars or EMS vehicles safer. This process is being applied to patrol cars, fire trucks, ambulances, and service department trucks.
Each of the City's 13 Fire Stations are getting a complete decontamination done of the entire facility twice a week. In addition, in the Stubbs Justice Center and Polsky building (where APD staff are temporarily working), employees are cleaning and preparing their workstations for decon daily. This process involves sanitizing and covering keyboards, monitors, computer mouses, phones, and printers, so that the sanitizing spray can be used.
"We are providing decontamination not just for the safety of our personnel, but also for their peace of mind,” Akron Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said. “As we use professional standards to clean each fire station and work area, we can slow down and prevent further spread of virus and bacteria. We will continue our daily cleaning of surfaces and common areas, but decontamination shows that safety is a priority for our members.”
Director of Public Service, Chris Ludle said, “The departments of Service and Safety often go hand in hand. I am extremely proud of our employees for their service to one another and the public, and for stepping up through this unprecedented time. They have been willing to work different shifts, learn new procedures, and go the extra mile to make sure that our first responders, employees, and the public are being kept as safe as possible throughout the City’s response to COVID-19.”