The USVI Department of Health (DOH) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on St. Croix (Charles Harwood Complex) and St. Thomas (Community Health Clinic) last night, at 5:30pm and 7:00pm respectively. Currently 61 members of the DOH staff (38 on St. Croix and 23 on St. Thomas)-of which includes nurses, deputy commissioners, the medical director, maintenance staff, directors of various programs, other support staff, as well as the Commissioner-have been working around the clock, since last night, manning the EOC, caring for patients in the Special Needs Shelters (SpNS) and residents of the Eldra Schulterbrandt Home, and maintaining the infrastructure of the mentioned facilities. In the Special Needs Shelter, six (6) nurses at a time are working 12 hour shifts (7am-7pm), caring for nine (9) patients on St. Thomas and seven (7) patients on St. Croix. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division has also been working 12 hour shifts.
UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
_________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2017
DOH Activates Emergency Operations Center
The USVI Department of Health (DOH) activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on St. Croix (Charles Harwood Complex) and St. Thomas (Community Health Clinic) last night, at 5:30pm and 7:00pm respectively. Currently 61 members of the DOH staff (38 on St. Croix and 23 on St. Thomas)-of which includes nurses, deputy commissioners, the medical director, maintenance staff, directors of various programs, other support staff, as well as the Commissioner-have been working around the clock, since last night, manning the EOC, caring for patients in the Special Needs Shelters (SpNS) and residents of the Eldra Schulterbrandt Home, and maintaining the infrastructure of the mentioned facilities. In the Special Needs Shelter, six (6) nurses at a time are working 12 hour shifts (7am-7pm), caring for nine (9) patients on St. Thomas and seven (7) patients on St. Croix. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) division has also been working 12 hour shifts.
Commissioner Davis stated, “The Health Department’s EOC coordinates emergency response and disseminates information pertaining to maintaining the health of everyone in the territory. We have operations for public health and medical response, epidemiology, communications, finance and special needs. Through the EOC the DOH also collaborates and coordinates with other government agencies to have an effective and cohesive response to the effects of Hurricane Irma. We receive requests to assist/support the response for various emergencies and continue communications between the various agencies (i.e. VITEMA, Department of Human Services, Virgin Islands Police Department, Property and Procurement, Department of Education, etc)
.EOC Contact Info: St. Croix 340-712-6205, Fax# 340-712-6206; St. Thomas 340-774-7477 ext 5640
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