Tremendous collaboration among agencies on all levels
The town of Gettysburg is expecting four million visitors this year, including 500,000 this summer, as it celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Many of those 500,000 visitors are expected from June 28 through July 7 when dozens of commemorative events are planned.
The unprecedented crowds, national media interest and demands on the resources of a small town have driven extensive planning on the part of area hospitals, emergency personnel, fire companies, police departments, the National Park Service and other state and federal government agencies.
The goal is for commemorative events to run as smoothly as possible and for the celebration to be relatively uneventful.
WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital and WellSpan York Hospital began planning for the event about a year ago. WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital staff members were notified that during peak events, vacations would be limited to ensure adequate staffing.
George Steckert, director of safety, security and emergency management for WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital, said the hospital has reviewed its disaster plans and conducted drills to enhance preparedness.
“With the tremendous influx of visitors, we have to consider how we would handle a surge in patients,” said Steckert.
A number of incidents, ranging from heat exhaustion to a bus accident, could create a surge. Steckert said individual departments have developed plans on how they would respond to a surge in patients.
ReadyCare expands its hours
To alleviate the potential pressure on the Emergency Department, ReadyCare at WellSpan Adams Health Center will expand its hours on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and add Sunday hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additionally, Dr. Kratz at Herr’s Ridge Family Medicine and Dr. Farkas at Fairfield Family Medicine have agreed to take walk-ins during the two-week celebration of the 150th Battle of Gettysburg.
“There’s been tremendous collaboration among community agencies,” stressed Steckert. “Safety and security have been major issues. A community table-top drill was recently conducted to help in our planning.”
Steckert said there would be a heavy police presence with many officers directing traffic. EMS and fire personnel plan to re-deploy equipment throughout the community to facilitate quicker responses.
Jay Johnson, manager of disaster response at WellSpan York Hospital, emphasized the consistent communication and joint planning with WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital.
“WellSpan York Hospital is prepared to handle patients from Gettysburg, if the need should arise,” he said. “We have met with our vendors and reviewed plans that would provide additional supplies, should we need them.”
In fact, Johnson said all 17 hospitals which are members of the South Central Pa. Task Force/Hospital and Health Facilities Subcommittee are prepared to respond in a disaster.
YAMMRS has discussed plans
Additionally, the York Area Metropolitan Medical Response System (YAMMRS) has met and discussed plans. YAMMRS was founded in 2002 with the idea of bringing together community organizations that would cooperate and share resources and expertise during the crisis.
YAMMRS includes all WellSpan entities and other health care organizations in York and Adams counties, including Memorial Hospital, Hanover Hospital, HealthSouth Rehab Hospital, the Red Cross, school districts and others.
“Local, state and federal organizations and agencies have been involved in this planning,” stressed Johnson. “It’s been very impressive.”
Steckert advises WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital staff members to leave extra time to get to work and return home; consider an alternate route to work to avoid heavy traffic; put together a “go bag” and be prepared to stay at work, if necessary; and be aware of what’s happening around you.
Pennsylvania State Police are encouraging residents to report any suspicious activity as part of its “See Something, Say Something” program by calling 888-292-1919 or emailing tips@pa.gov.
“Hospitals and health care organizations are used to planning for disasters and crises,” said Steckert. “And, we feel confident that we’re well prepared, as a community and a region, for this historic celebration in Gettysburg.”