Karla eppler, emergency management coordinator, in the decontamination tent.
If you recently drove by Winona Health and noticed the yellow “tent” next to the Emergency Department, here’s the scoop:
Our emergency team ran a test set up of our decontamination shelter. This was for training purposes only. Winona Fire and Winona Area Ambulance Service staff were invited to stop by to check it out so they will be familiar with how it functions in case of an emergency.
According to Karla Eppler, emergency management coordinator, our decontamination shelter is a 3-lane unit, meaning there are three walled off or isolated sections within the tent including a center “lane” for people who may not be able to walk. They would be positioned on a conveyer board to go through the decontamination unit. Decontamination line hoses are positioned within the top of the shelter and are hooked up to a water pump. The water used for decontamination is collected in a catch basin and is disposed of safely.
Winona Health has had a decontamination unit since 2005 and sets it up periodically to ensure emergency caregivers are ready for a rapid response.