The use of extra protective equipment and checking ahead for possible cases are among the ways the region's emergency services are protecting their members from COVID-19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ambulance Victoria's Loddon Mallee regional director Michael Georgiou said paramedics used personal protection equipment - including gloves, masks, goggles and infection control suits or gowns - when attending call-outs, as per the service's infectious disease protocol.
"Our paramedics also follow prescriptive decontamination procedures after any transfer of suspected and infected patients," Mr Georgiou said.
Inspector Shane Brundell, from Bendigo police, said officers followed the advice of the Department of Health and Human Services when it came to social distancing, hygiene, and social isolation.
However, there are situations where police officers have to come into close physical contact with members of the public.
Inspector Brundell said gloves, masks and hand sanitiser were in use.
Where there were concerns someone infected had entered the station, he said there were plans in place to sanitise the area quickly.
Bendigo SES deputy controller Natalie Stanway said volunteers already wore a high level of personal protection equipment when attending emergencies, such as crashes.
"It will not impact our response in an emergency situation," Ms Stanway said.
When volunteers were called out to such jobs as building damage or fallen trees, she said complainants would be phoned and asked about such factors as possible infection, their potential exposure to COVID-19, and whether they were self-isolating.
Ms Stanway said the volunteer respondents would use this information to take additional precautions, such as extra protective equipment, or asking complainants to stay inside their homes to minimise face-to-face interactions.
In the CFA, brigades are urged to establish separate teams for turnouts where appropriate, reduce potential exposure for personnel considered at risk, and use personal protection equipment where necessary.
The CFA has also cancelled or postponed non-essential face-to-face training, events and meetings, using other methods of communication where possible.
Emergency responses are not affected.
Anyone who thinks they have COVID-19 should contact the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398. Anyone else with a health concern should call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24.
We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.