The moment EMTs and paramedics arrive for their shifts at Mohawk Ambulance, they are greeted by a quick medical observation from a supervisor.

“We take their temperature if necessary, and we will send them home if they have any sort of symptoms,” said Mohawk Director of Operations Dave Gardner. “We are exposed to so many people throughout the day, and we don’t want to risk exposing someone else.”

The daily screenings are part of the ambulance service’s new normal brought on by the global spread of the coronavirus.

“The mood is still pretty good,” said Gardner, who’s been an EMT for about 20 years. "Some people are definitely nervous, but I think that heightens our awareness to be safe.”

Gardner says Mohawk’s call volume has actually decreased slightly. Many patients they see who don’t need further care are opting to stay home, rather than risk exposure at the hospital.

“We have a very large call volume normally, so those people are still calling and they are still requesting evaluations and they still have their medical concerns,” Gardner said. “People have been wonderful in understanding that they are actually safer at home.”

To keep staff protected, each of Mohawk’s 27 daily crews are remaining isolated from one another. They do a thorough deep clean of the ambulance and their own equipment in between every call.

“Right now, we are at the point where we treat and we assume every patient is a potential exposure,” Gardner said.

With no immediate signs, life is about to return to normal, these men and women continue their work on the front lines.

“They are here every day and they do not falter, and they respond to the calls without question, and they do an amazing job caring for our patients,” Gardner said.