Community Collaboration Provides Emergency Field Hospital
As received from the City of Sarnia - David Logan, Director of Corporate Services.
Local community organizations including the Petrochemical Industrial Association, the Sarnia Construction Association, Bluewater Power, and Matthew Hay at BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. have contributed $85,000.00 towards a now-completed field hospital at Lambton College.
Bluewater Health recently requested Sarnia’s Office of Emergency Management establish a secondary site for patient care. The City’s Director of Corporate Services, David Logan credited the Office of Emergency Management with successfully co-ordinating this significant initiative, which included not only the 100 beds but also the fabrication and installation of industrial grade stainless steel dividers, a sufficient power source, and all the ancillary items needed, such as curtains and bedding. This would not have been feasible without the generosity and dedication of the President of Labour Council, Jason McMichael and a multitude of contributors.
Toolrite Engineering and Rock Technical Services designed and fabricated the industrial grade steel dividers, which create patient privacy. The installation was coordinated with in-kind support from LiUNA Local 1089 tradespeople. Rick Perdeaux of Toolrite Engineering says it was a team effort, “We expedited the design and work for this project, and it all came together thanks to so many caring and generous people in our community.”
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley says mobilizing the field hospital is a great example of community collaboration, “It shows that together we can do so much. We hope we will not have to use this facility, but we take comfort in knowing it is available and on standby.”
The temporary field hospital took seven days to complete from request to installation. While it fulfills a current need, the City of Sarnia now has the ability to deploy this equipment for future emergencies thanks to two enclosed tractor trailers to be purchased for storage and mobilization of the equipment.
Feedback from the key contributors:
Vince Gagner, General Manager of Community Awareness Emergency Response (CAER), the Industrial Education Cooperative (IEC) and Sarnia-Lambton Environmental Association (SLEA). “The local petrochemical industry is proud to contribute. While our companies are helping the community in their individual ways, it was important for us to collectively provide a meaningful show of support in Sarnia-Lambton. The industry is highly tuned into emergency response and working together towards health and safety, so the field hospital project is a natural fit for us from that perspective. We’re happy to help.”
Jason McMichael, President Sarnia and District Labour Council facilitated various in-kind and financial donations: “It’s a privilege to live in a community with not only the depth of skills to make a project like this happen, but the generosity to make it happen at basically no cost to the city or Bluewater Health at a time when every dollar is needed.” Mike Maitland, Business Manager for LiUNA Local 1089 donated all of labour to erect the infrastructure for the project. They spent Good Friday ensuring that this critical support system is there should we need it. “LiUNA is always looking for ways to help in the communities that we live and work in.” Janice McMichael-Dennis, CEO Bluewater Power: “Bluewater Power prides itself on being a valuable local hometown partner. As an essential service, our outstanding team continues to work hard each day and this contribution is just one more small thing we can do to help our Community get through this. We are super proud to be a part of the heart of Sarnia-Lambton!”
Matthew Hay, BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc.: “I was just pleased to be given an opportunity to help. I’m so grateful for the community we live in.”
Additional thanks to:
Rock Technical, George, Cornelius, Jamie, Travis & Anthony, for donating time & materials; Toolrite Engineering, Cody, Nathan & Rick, for donating time & materials; Huron Alloys for donating some of the materials, Christine & Craig Bulsza; ASA Alloys for providing Stainless Steel at a reduced rate; Industrial Web Apps, Katherine Walker donated her time to set up the Platform (SHORE) to track the project in real time; SLIA members and friends who offered their services, John Duff Ltd, Shelley Machine & Marine, Kel-Gor, LamSar, Fastenal & Brafasco, City Electric & Princess Auto.