From Ron Mattson

Marquette, MI

To the editor:

For 12 years, I had been a member of a Hospital Emergency Management Team in Monroe prior to my retirement in early 2109. Health and Human Services (HHS) requires all hospitals to conduct community emergency drills each year to practice and uncover shortcomings in emergency response plans. 

During my tenure I participated in drills and actual emergencies ranging from pandemics, industrial accidents and Cyber Security attacks. Post-event after action reviews (AAR) are used to document issues and improvements needed for the local organizations to be better prepared in future emergencies. Every AAR uncovers areas which needed to be improved.

“Knowledge rests not upon truth alone, but upon error also.” - Karl Jung

Difficultly in acquiring adequate medical resources (PPE, medical equipment, medications, staffing, etc.) to handle the overwhelming influx of patients in a state or national healthcare crisis is documented in every healthcare emergency management “Playbook” at the local, state and federal levels. Local healthcare organizations rely on state and federal emergency agencies to help acquire, produce and deliver additional medical resources in an emergency.

In a National crisis, like COVID-19, the key step is enabling the emergency response team quickly at federal, state and local levels to identify impacts and risks as early in the event as possible. Assigning experts to incident command, planning and logistics roles to expedite preparedness, acquire resources and quickly adapt to changing events.

The emergency events I was part of, I personally observed the exceptional character, leadership and unity from hospital administrators, doctors, nurses and supporting medical and non-medical staff. This includes vital Green County emergency and healthcare organizations the hospital partners with and relies on. These local heroes comprise the full spectrum of race, religion and political affiliations but become one unified force when your health and wellbeing is at risk. I am humbled by them, and will never forget these heroes.

Join me in thanking the Heroes at Monroe Clinic Hospital, Green County Emergency Management, Green Country Health Department, Green County EMS, Red Cross, Fire and Police departments.