Indiana face covering mandate released . . . unless if you are in Monroe County
While the state of Indiana releases residents from the face covering mandate today, Monroe County has decided to maintain their requirement of wearing a face shield, face covering, or mask over their nose and mouth when in an indoor place other than their own home or the home of an immediate family member or when outdoors in a situation where adequate physical distancing of at least 6 feet is not possible (including outdoor public gatherings). The only exceptions to the most recent Monroe County Public Health Regulation:
a. Children who are two years of age or younger.
b. Individuals who are hearing or speaking impaired and for whom a face covering is an obstacle to communication.
c. Individuals who are unable to wear a face covering for a documentedphysical, medical, or health-related reason.
d. Individuals in a hospital, doctor’s office, dentist’s office, or other health care facility, in circumstances where wearing a face covering would be an impediment to receiving proper care, as designated by the healthcare provider.
e. Individuals who are alone in an indoor space, such as in an office, or in a work-space and are physically distanced from all other co-workers. When unable to physically distance from others, a face covering is required.
f. Individuals who are traveling in personal vehicles.
g. Individuals for whom wearing a face covering would present a risk to their safety while at work, as determined by local, state, or federal workplace safety regulations.
h. Individuals who are incarcerated.
i. Individuals who are engaged in a form of indoor, aerobic exercise that is incompatible with wearing a face covering, including swimming.
j. Individuals who are seated at a restaurant, bar, or other establishment that serves food and/or drink. However, individuals entering and exiting restaurants or bars, or congregating in waiting areas or common areas of restaurants or bars (including bathrooms), must wear face coverings.
k. Individuals who are engaged in outdoor physical exercise, including running, jogging, walking, bicycling, or swimming, if in groups of less than 25.
l. Bona fide emergency situations in which a person lacks the time or the means to put on a face covering before entering an indoor or outdoor public space. Individuals who are outdoors and are maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from others who are not part of their household.
Bloomington Fire Department dedicates new equipment
The Bloomington Fire Department firefighters held a push-in ceremony Thursday, April 1 at Station Two to dedicate the City’s newest fire apparatus. The 2021 Typhoon class, 100-foot aerial ladder truck that will be known as Truck 2 was purchased through Public Safety Local Income Tax (PS-LIT) revenues for $1.19 million to replace a 20-year-old 75-foot dual axle aerial apparatus.
The fifth fire apparatus purchased and delivered since the adoption of the PS-LIT in 2016, Truck 2 brings the BFD’s front line into compliance with the National Fire Protection Association standards. (In addition to its front line, the BFD’s reserve fleet–which includes two fire engines, one stick ladder, and one platform ladder truck–also meets the NFPA standards.) The PS-LIT has been the revenue source for all the fire department’s major capital improvements, including new fire gear (Personal Protective Equipment or PPE), airpacks, vehicles, extrication tools, and fire station improvements and updates. Since 2016, BFD has achieved a three-minute reduction in response time to an emergency. During that period, BFD has saved ten lives from fire incidents and one from a vehicle.
Truck 2 is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank, a 1500-gallons-per-minute pump, and a 100-foot ladder with a Task Force Tips (TFT) masterstream nozzle at the ladder’s tip that can be controlled from either end of the ladder. The apparatus also has seven ladders of varying designs, functions and heights, and a full complement of TNT brand hydraulic-powered extrication tools, fire fighting tools, water supply hose, and preconnected fire fighting hose lays. The single-axle vehicle is designed to navigate narrow streets and tight turns better than the dual-axle apparatus it replaced. The BFD will maintain its four-firefighter minimum staffing requirements on this apparatus, which has a six-person capacity.