Rotary Helps Rescue Hudson EMS
Over $6000 was raised to help Hudson EMS purchase Personal Protective Equipment
Rotary is teaming with various Hudson community organizations to support the EMS first-responder volunteers as they deal with Covid-19 emergencies.
The Rotary Club of Hudson hosted Hudson EMS and Fire Chief Jerry Varnes on April 22 who spoke of the EMS response to the Coronavirus Pandemic and its severe impact on the operations and supply needs of the department. The news was alarming. In prior years, EMS used approximately 5 N-95 medical grade protective masks per month. But then, many emergency calls did not require the use of extensive Personal Protective Equipment(PPE).
With the onset of the Coronavirus Pandemic, each patient encountered requires the use of PPE by each member of the EMS response team. The needs of the department have grown exponentially. Early in the pandemic, a large shipment of masks was received but subsequent orders have been placed on back order. A request made to the Strategic National Supply resulted in only 8 masks received. All items routinely required by safety forces (masks, gloves, gowns, eye protection, etc.) are in need. Unfortunately, an EMS volunteer actually contracted the virus from a patient and had to be quarantined for two weeks.
Chief Varnes expressed gratitude for previous donations of hand sanitizers, masks, face shields, gowns and gloves received from various community members and organizations. Asked after his Rotary presentation: “Is there anything we can do as a club to support your efforts?”, Chief Varnes requested financial support to establish a 90 day supply of necessary Personal Protective Equipment for all safety departments. The Rotary Club of Hudson took that as a call to action. Together with the Rotary Clocktower Club and the generous support of Northwest Bank, University Hospitals Portage Medical Center, the Tobin Family Foundation and the Rotary Club of Hudson Foundation, Rotary will provide a substantial grant exceeding $6000. This contribution will enhance the efforts of an upcoming direct letter appeal to individual Hudson citizens by the President of EMS Outreach of Hudson, Heidi Schweighoefer.
The President of the Rotary Club of Hudson, Marilyn Orr and the President of the Rotary Club of Hudson Clocktower, Cheryl Maimona “welcome the opportunity to participate in this important outreach for the EMS volunteers and are very thankful for the service they provide to the Hudson community”.
A video of Chief Varnes’ presentation to the Rotary Club of Hudson can be viewed below or on YouTube by clicking here or Facebook Rotary Club of Hudson.