EVANSTON — There are unsung heroes in every community during the COVID-19 crisis the world is facing, and Evanston has its share of people who still go to work every day to serve the public. Some of those essential services are obvious to the public, such as the U.S. Post Office; gas stations, grocery stores, utilities, public works, emergency and medical facilities, law enforcement, technology companies and others. Many of those employees are credited with being heroes in this time of a national emergency for risking their own health and well-being to serve others. The Herald was able to interview just a few of these local heroes to find out what they are doing to protect their employees in order to continue to serve the public.

Fire Marshal Tim Overy said fire department employees and volunteers are still providing the same services and responses as always. Now however, they are taking every precaution with personnel, taking their own temperatures when coming to work and EMTs are wearing protective gear on emergency calls.

“We have enough protective gear, and I found a resource and ordered more,” Overy said. “We are working with all of the state agencies to make sure we have what we need. Dispatchers are asking questions regarding COVID-19 when people call with an emergency to determine what symptoms they are having and also the dispatchers have information ready to respond to concerns and questions.”

Evanston Police Chief Jon Kirby said EPD is still fully staffed, with only one officer out with the flu. The main lobby is closed to the public but they are still taking calls over the phone and the internet. Anytime any of the employees come into the office their temperature is taken with a laser instrument so there is no physical contact. 

“When dispatch gets an emergency call, they go through a check list of questions and if they determine the caller has symptoms then officers wait for the ambulance to arrive to take the patient,” Kirby said. “However, all of our officers have protective equipment, as they are often the first responders to an incident. We have plenty of masks, gloves and even shoe booties.” He said if a call is not an emergency, dispatch handles it over the phone.

Kirby said that when officers make an arrest, they still take people to jail and follow the procedures that the Uinta County Sheriff’s Office have in place. He said he and his administrative staff had recently attended a Zoom meeting with the sheriff’s office and all of the city and county agencies to devise a countywide emergency plan.

“The emergency services are doing a great job and keeping people safe,” Kirby said. “As the governor and Public Health issue orders of shutdowns, my officers take those orders, a Public Health information flyer and a letter from the county attorney to all of the businesses involved in the shutdown.”

Kirby said there has been a misconception that businesses have to completely close, but those such as a beauty salon that sell products can still be open to sell those products; they just have to limit the number of people in the store and offer no physical contact.

Kirby said businesses can apply to the Public Health officer for an exception to the shutdown. If they are granted the exception, they have to follow even stricter guidelines and regulations such as keeping people 6 feet apart from each other and limiting the total number of people in the business at one time. If the business doesn’t abide by these rules, Kirby said they would be shut down. He said there are currently three businesses in Evanston that have been granted the exception.

Sheriff Doug Matthews also said his office is following the CDC and the National Sheriff Association guidelines regarding screening prisoners and employees. They are limiting the number of bookings into the jail. If appropriate, deputies will issue citations instead of booking a person to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

Matthews said all local deputies carry masks, gloves and sanitizer with them. His office still has to shop for groceries for the jail, so they use the same precautions that all have been advised to use. They are now cleaning the jail thoroughly three times a day instead of the regular once a day. The door to the front lobby is locked. People can still call and get an appointment if they need to see a deputy.

“We are eliminating doing fingerprints at this time for anything other than for health care workers,” Matthews said. “We will still do VIN inspections but ask the person to leave the vehicle unlocked and we leave the paperwork in the car to avoid one-on-one contact at this time.”

In reference to nonviolent offenders being released from a jail in Riverton and in several Utah jails due to the coronavirus and crowding conditions, Matthews said he is not going to release any prisoners at this time.

Kendra Safford with the Uinta County Suicide Prevention Task Force advised people to check the resources from the Wyoming Department of Health for coping with the coronavirus pandemic and mental health advice. Those resources and hotline numbers are listed on their website: https://health.wyo.gov/publichealth/prevention/wivpp/.

The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Task Force (SAFV) staff is now working remotely, however the crisis/help line — (307) 789-7315 — remains fully staffed to respond to emergencies. The office is still answering calls at 789-3628. All trainings and gatherings have been canceled until further notice.

SAFV director Angie Fessler said in a press release, “Our primary commitment is to the health and safety of survivors of stalking, dating violence, and domestic and sexual violence and their families. That has not and will not change during this pandemic.”

Heroes can also be found in local businesses which provide specialized or essential services.

Though its doors are closed, the Uinta County Library is still providing book check-out and curbside pick-up by calling 783-0481.

Justin Dennis and Trent Sobieck at Impact Physical Therapy are continuing to meet the needs of their patients. They are limiting the number of people in their facility at one time and they have a forehead thermometer on order so they can take the temperature of anyone coming into their business. They said they are also sanitizing everything continuously throughout the day.

“Our business has really slowed down as doctors are not making referrals at this time as they are limiting their surgeries; so, no post-op therapy,” Dennis said. “And people are choosing to stay home and isolate. Also, there is a lack of understanding among people that they think they need a doctor’s referral to come for therapy. Eighty-five percent of insurances do not require a doctor’s referral; only Medicare and Medicaid do.”

Even in a time such as a national emergency, people still get flat tires, and having them repaired is essential, especially for emergency vehicles. Two local businesses, among others, that are meeting that need are Freeway Tire and Plains Tires.

Freeway Tire is still providing full-service operations. Manager Steve Williams said business has slowed down and they are taking safety precautions. They practice social distancing and he has only one mechanic working in the back shop, and only two or three in the main shop area at one time.

“Most people just drop off their vehicle and leave,” Williams said, “so we never have too many people in the lobby area.”

Plains Tires Co. is also practicing social distancing. Customers can make an appointment on the phone or a payment online. The company has also provided a drop place for envelopes with keys and instructions for “contact free” experience if desired.

Some people might be using this stay-at-home time to work on construction projects in their home. Knowing this, The Lumberyard is still open and is offering free delivery and will leave the purchase at the door, on a porch or in a garage to avoid contact with others. They noted they are limited on some items right now because medical supplies being a priority for trucking companies.