Eastern Plumas Health Care District is now equipped with portable structures that will allow it to respond to disasters and health emergencies more effectively.
A small crowd gathered Wednesday, Oct. 25 to celebrate and officially introduce the new shelter system at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. As lightweight frames and sidewalls rose into the sky, the district’s training crew put the final anchoring system for one of them in place, with the help of Western Shelter Regional Manager Bob Dunn. Visitors were allowed to peek at the interior before the shelter doors opened for the celebration.
Three portable structures and the two trailers and a half-ton pickup truck used to transport them were made possible through the efforts of EPHC’s Program Manager Joanna Garneau. Garneau won a $456,766 Test to Treat Equity grant from the California Department of Public Health.
At the ribbon cutting event, the public, local dignitaries and organizations shared refreshments, which included hot coffee, doughnuts and tea from Headwaters Bistro in Portola. Garneau and Dunn conducted tours of the shelter system.
In remarks to the crowd, EPHC Chief Executive Officer Doug McCoy and Garneau touched on the importance of the portable structures, specifically citing their multipurpose uses for anything from disaster response to health emergencies.
The shelters are completely self-contained with heat, air conditioning, generator, lighting and air purification systems, Garneau said. That allows for positive air pressure to stop contaminants from entering a space during surgery, for example. The negative air pressure system will keep contaminants from leaving a space if sick patients were inside, Garneau added.
“With the addition of hot water, sanitizer, handwashing stations and 10 individual exam rooms and beds, this shelter can easily be deployed to support expanded clinic or emergency room space as needed,” she said.
With one 10-foot-square shelter and two 19×35-foot shelters, EPHC can erect central command centers or medical extensions to provide space for vaccinations or infectious disease testing within hours.
Later during the ceremony, EPHC received a certificate of Congressional Recognition from the Office of United States Representative Kevin Kiley, of the 3rd Congressional District, commending EPHC for its dedication to providing exceptional emergency and disaster response services.
“With these shelters, EPHC will respond to disasters and health emergencies more effectively. Should something require this level of preparedness, we will be ready,” said Garneau.
For more information about the shelters, contact Garneau at 530-832-6632.
Information provided by Eastern Plumas Health Care