Saturday, June 21st, 2008

Practice for Pandemic flu outbreak held

By Shelley Grieshop
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Paramedics, firefighters and other officials from hospitals, health departments, emergency management agencies, fire departments and squads in Mercer, Auglaize, Allen, Putman and Van Wert counties clear a landing field at the Ohio State Lima and Rhodes State College campus in Lima as an emergency medical helicopter prepares to take off. The activity was part of a pandemic flu exercise held in Lima on Friday.

Mercer County Health Department Administrator Dale Palmer headed up the five-county exercise that began weeks ago. The scenario was a pandemic flu outbreak that began in Asia and made its way to our local area this week. Palmer, who until recently worked as a health official in Allen County, began preparation for the week-long program nearly two years ago. Local hospitals, health departments and other emergency departments also held on-site pandemic planning exercises at their facilities on Tuesday and Wednesday.
In a real pandemic flu outbreak, the campus in Lima would be used as a 25-bed temporary treatment site for patients - including those from Mercer and Auglaize counties - who need less than 24-hour care and who could not be admitted to their local hospitals/medical facilities for various reasons.
- Shelley Grieshop
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Personnel with the New Bremen Life Squad wheel in a gurney transporting a mock pandemic flu victim.

Additional online story on this date
ST. HENRY - Coldwater's Keith Wenning came up with a gem on the mound, striking out 12 in throwing a no-hitter as the Cavaliers defeated St. Henry 5-0 in Mercer County ACME circuit action at the Wally Post Athletic Complex on Friday evening. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Legislative Day on the Lake focuses on implementing watershed action plan
The clock ticking toward a time when Grand Lake could no longer be saved from worsening water quality has slowed, said ODNR Director Sean Logan.
Lo
For the second time in two years a rabid bat was found in Mercer County.
No one was bitten or exposed to the mammal, which was recently found near
FORT RECOVERY - Lunch prices will increase next year at Fort Recovery Local Schools as officials seek to replenish the dwindling cafeteria fund.
Board of education members on Tuesday approved raising lunch prices 25 cents per meal. An extra milk will rise from 25 to 35 cents.
After laying an egg Thursday night, the Grand Lake Mariners made amends in grand fashion Friday thanks to some masterful pitching and a little dose of small ball.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Minster scored four times in the bottom of the fourth to pull away and beat St. Marys 8-2 on Thursday night at Hanover Street Park in Auglaize County ACME play. The Wildcats improve to 9-5 as the Roughriders drop to 5-3.