Officials bolster preparedness for potential Ebola threat

SANDPOINT — Emergency and health care officials are conducting preparedness training in the event of an Ebola threat in Bonner County.

Bonner General Health, Bonner County EMS and Bonner County Emergency Management are teaming up to develop communications and training exercises in emergency preparedness for a potential Ebola threat.

“Though the threat of Ebola reaching our community is relatively small, we see this as an opportunity to review polices, procedures and communication plans,” Ross Crawford, deputy chief of Bonner County EMS. “We know this level of preparation will lead to our ability to respond well to other threats, such as flu and pneumonia.”

Bonner General CEO Sheryl Rickard said the hospital is committed to the health and safety of the region and works in partnership with other community first responders

“Our ability to respond in a crisis situation equates to lives saved,” Rickard said.

Bob Abbott, training coordinator and public information officer for Bonner County EMS, said the training is an opportunity for first responders, emergency management officials, hospital and health care professionals to work collaboratively leads to the successful management of potential community-wide threats.

“County-wide training is imminent as we collaborate to ensure the health of our Bonner County residents,” Abbott said.

Bob Howard, director of emergency management for Bonner County, said the number one public health threat for the region at this time is the flu.

“We strongly encourage all our residents to vaccinate against flu and pneumonia as a safeguard for health. This is especially important for vulnerable populations among us,” Howard said.

Dr. Christine Hahn, state epidemiologist, said Idaho is staying abreast of the Ebola situation both nationally and internationally and is implementing lessons learned from the unfortunate events in Texas and Ohio to protect Idaho citizens.

Hahn said there are no Ebola cases in Idaho, but Hahn noted that such diseases are “truly only a plane ride away.”

“We need to continue to work on preparedness. I think the hospitals are very wisely looking at their capacity, mostly to keep healthcare workers safe,” Hahn said.