This is Part One of a continuing effort to provide PPOA members with relevant timely information.The safety of our members is our utmost concern. For up-to-date information on COVID-19 and guidance from Los Angeles Public Health Professionals please go to
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Many of them infect animals, but some coronaviruses from animals can evolve (change) into a new human coronavirus that can spread from person-to-person. This is what happened with the new coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease known as COVID-19. Diseases from coronaviruses in people typically cause mild to moderate illness, like the common cold, but in some rare circumstances, death or serious medical conditions may arise.
2. How are coronaviruses spread?
Like other respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, human coronaviruses most commonly spread to others from an infected person through:
• Droplets produced through coughing and sneezing
• Close personal contact, such as caring for an infected person
• Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes before washing your hands
3. What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
Reported illnesses have ranged from people with symptoms including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing, which sometimes requires hospitalization and under extreme circumstances death.
4. What is the Department doing to protect employees from exposure to COVID-19 at the workplace?
First, the providing of safety equipment (Personal Protection Equipment “PPE”). PPOA has requested the PPE’s and believes the the Department is distributing accordingly. All employees who face the prospect of being in contact with individuals who have or may have the COVID-19 virus are to be provided, gloves, a mask, and in some circumstances, eye protection. If you are have not yet received your PPE, contact your chain of command for assistance. If you are denied the right to the equipment, immediately contact PPOA.
Second, the Department is utilizing the “Quarantining” of employees with known work exposures, or employees who are exhibiting symptoms at work consistent with the virus. If the employee does not wish to self-quarantine at home, PPOA is working with the County on alternative locations that may be made available to quarantined employees.
Third, employees who have vulnerable family members at home, or family members with symptoms of, or a diagnosis of, COVID-19 may quarantine at home under the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”). The County is not requiring a medical certification on the FMLA paperwork with all requests to be granted based upon the assertion of need as stated by the employee.
5. What do I do if I believe I have been exposed to the COVID-19 Virus?
While on-duty, if you come into contact with:
(1) an individual that has COVID-19; and/or (2) an individual that has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19; and/or
(3) medical equipment recently utilized by an individual with COVID-19, fill out the LASD Activity Log (ICS 214) (form attached).
If potentially exposed, it is imperative that all personnel fill out the logs when carrying out any tasks whether on regular time or overtime related to COVID-19.
Once you fill out Activity Log (ICS 214), submit it to the 214 Coordinator at your unit of assignment.
Any personnel working in the field can print, complete, sign and submit the original to the ICS 214 Unit Coordinator who will then scan and submit the documents.
When filling out the Activity Log (ICS 214), the name of the incident should be left as Covid-19 Response, details under the Notable Activity section should include details about the specific task you performed, and specific location worked, and if backfill OT is worked, please include the full name of the employee you are filling behind. Also include standby activation. Completion of the form with narrative details are required for State and Federal government reimbursement and are used by Special Accounts Unit to identify claimable and non-claimable costs.
COVID-19 ICS 214 Activity Log Instructions
Incident Information
Operational Period – Date and Time of your entire shift worked on COVID-19
Personnel Information
Name – Employee Last, First Name
Employee / Badge – Employee Number
Unit Assignment – Division Moniker / Station or Unit Moniker
Call Sign – N/A for COVID-19
Rank – Rank of employee
Squad – N/A for COVID-19
Phone – Phone Number of employee
RDO – Is today the employees regular day off
Regular Shift Hours Total – Total “Regular Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time In – “Regular Beginning Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift,
all times have to be coded 00:00
Time Out – “Regular Ending Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Overtime Hours Total – Total “Overtime” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time In – “Overtime Beginning Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Time Out – “Overtime Ending Shift” hours spent on COVID-19 for this shift
Enroute to Incident, Staging (10-97), Staging (10-98), Estimated Arrival at UOA, 18 Hour Time – N/A for COVID-19, only to be used if acting as a response squad to a COVID-19 incident.
Supervisor Information
Supervisor Unit, Supervisor Name, Supervisor Contact Number – N/A for COVID-19
Vehicle Information
Driver / Passenger – Employee to fill out only if their COVID-19 mission required a vehicle
Number – Vehicle Number
Arrival Mileage – Vehicle Beginning Mileage
Ending Mileage – Vehicle Ending Mileage
Make – Vehicle Make
Model – Vehicle Model
Other Equipment Assigned – N/A for COVID-19
Mission Assignments – Employee may check any boxes of missions completed or “Other” if not listed
Activity Log – Employee will fill out the “Time” and “Notable Activity” for the general role they worked on the COVID-19 response
Prepared By / Date / Time – To be filled out by the Employee completing and signed prior to submission
Again, if potentially exposed, contact your supervisor immediately to let them know that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and to request the most current information from the County and Department regarding quarantine locations or further self-quarantine instructions. Do not come into contact with any other individuals before obtaining further instructions from your supervisor and/or Unit Coordinator. Complete the LASD Activity Log (ICS 214) as directed.
6. Can I get tested for the coronavirus?
PPOA is advocating for the expedited testing of public safety personnel who are exposed and/or show symptoms. If you develop symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus including a fever, difficulty breathing, or cannot keep fluids down, contact your medical provider immediately and testing options should be described to you. Additionally, contact the Department for further direction as they liaison with the Department of Public Health. Certain members such as the elderly, those that are immune compromised or have underlying medical conditions should be particularly aware of symptoms and seek medical care at the earliest opportunity if the need arises. Most medical care facilities are triaging requests for medical attention by utilizing a telephonic screening process. Check with your medical provider before you go to the clinic to determine their protocol.
Additional information about COVID-19 can be found by visiting websites below for the Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health Links
Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association