Published: September 19, 2008 11:39 pm      

Part of being prepared

Mary Lou Hinrichsen

Herald correspondent

CLINTON — A trailer and other items surrounding it are part of a 14-county effort to be prepared for storms, floods and other disasters. It is seen on the grounds of the Ericksen Community Center, where members of the Clinton County Emergency Management planners were meeting Tuesday.

One trailer was purchased for each of the 14 counties in public health Region 6, using a combination of public health money and a grant from FEMA. The total cost was about $180,000.

The purpose of the trailers, according to Daniel Darland, Region 6 preparedness planner, is to have supplies on hand for outfitting an emergency shelter. Those supplies include a generator for refrigeration and storage of medical supplies. There also are 50 cots with blankets and linen sets, personal hygiene kits and infant-care kits.

While most trailers come supplied with half generic cots and half special needs cots, Clinton County ordered all cots of the special needs type. There are some meal kits, also, but they are only for workers on the go.

Darland works out of the Clinton Genesis VNA and Hospice office, but helps all 14 counties.

“We’re trying to promote agencies working together to be prepared — there’ve been plenty of examples of the need, with the floods and storms which hit the area this year.”