Joint Statement from the April 16, 2020 Conference Call

 Information released by Chelan County Fire & Rescue

Conference Call started at 1300 (1 p.m.) on Thursday, April 16

In attendance:

  • Kent Sisson, Chelan County Emergency Management, 509-667-6864
  • Barry Kling, Chelan-Douglas Health District, 509-886-6400
  • Sgt. Chris Foreman, Chelan Cunty Sheriff’s Office, 509-630-7513
  • Ray Eickmeyer – Lake Chelan Community Hospital EMS, 509-670-2441
  • Manuel Navarro, Columbia Valley Community Health, 509-662-6000
  • Barry DePaoli, Chelan School District, 509-470-0110
  • Matt Charlton, Manson School District, 509-881-0857
  • Kari Grover-Weir, USFS, 509-699-1447
  • Erin McCardle, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce/HDCA, 509-682-4322
  • Debbie Conwell, Manson Chamber of Commerce, 509-421-1611
  • Jim Colbert, Chelan Fruit, 509-470-2002
  • Mayor Bob Goedde, City of Chelan, 509-682-8018
  • Chief Arnold Baker, CCFD #5 (Manson), 509-670-2775
  • Chief Mike Asher, CCFD #8 (Entiat), 509-669-1946
  • Chief Mark Donnell, CF&R (Chelan), 509-699-9762

Not in attendance:

  • George Rohrich, Lake Chelan Community Hospital
  • Laura Schmidt, Columbia Valley Community Health
  • Kayla Helleson, Thrive Chelan
  • Mike Steele, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce
  • Mark Stennes, Chelan Fruit
  • Chief Jim Oatey, DCFD #4 (Orondo)
  • Assistant Chief Brandon Asher, CF&R

Updates:

Kent Sisson, Chelan-Douglas Regional EOC: Kent gave clarification on case count differences with Chelan-Douglas Health District.  Will reference case counts found at the CDHD website: https://cdhd.wa.gov/. PPE has been starting to come in and is being distributed to Tier 1 agencies.  Still having difficulty in getting disposable gowns.  Reminder to school districts to register with the state for reimbursement of Covid related expenses.

Barry Kling, Chelan-Douglas Health District: Latest count for patients who have tested positive for Chelan & Douglas Counties is 93.  Working on social distancing model for prevention of resurgence cases.  Have identified quarantine/isolation facilities for patents who have tested positive and do not have the resources for self- isolation.  Wanted to remind everyone that social distancing is working and the curve is flattening but we need to have capacity for more testing in place before current measures can be lifted.

Chris Foreman, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office: No uptick in calls, still educating the public to current state and county resolutions regarding social distancing, specifically with short term rentals.

Ray Eickmeyer, LCCH & LCCH EMS: LCCH has received sufficient stock of PPE to get through the first wave.  Third floor of hospital has been emptied to accommodate surge in patients.  Have seen an increase in patients with appropriate care plans put in place (home versus hospital).  LCCH Clinic will be contacting patients with survey regarding patient concerns/needs with focus on best patient care options.

Manuel Navarro, Columbia Valley Community Health: Working on conservation of PPE and do not anticipate any immediate concerns.  Focus has been on agricultural workforce with focus on primary care and identification of symptomatic patients. CEO & Clinical Supervisor are working with agricultural facilities as resources for prevention and infection control.  Contact tracking and isolation measures will be implemented through CVCH.

Barry DePaoli, Chelan School District: Majority of staff is working from home with the exception of administrative staff.  District staff have provided 4,000 meals since start of social distancing and have incorporated two facilities into one to continue program.  Printed up 200 educational packets for student who do not have internet connectivity and still working through this issue.  Developing weekly email with links to bring information into a single format. Reminded everyone to complete their 2020 census.  Working on traditional senior graduation ceremony and alternate program that complies with social distancing.

Matt Charlton, Manson School District: Still working through internet access issues with an additional 30 hotspots put in place for families without internet.  Working on graduation alternatives as well as possible placement of banners in Manson recognizing graduating seniors.

Kari Grover-Weir, USFS: Stated people are getting out and obeying the laws.  All preseason prescribed burning has been cancelled and all staff have been working remotely from home.  SOPs are in development for seasonal workforce which should be at operating levels by May 1st.

Erin McCardle, Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce/HDCA: Gave an update on SBA Loan program that has processed 14 years of applications in 14 days and has stopped taking applications.  Concerns in the business community about major funding already depleted. Chamber is working on Thank You signs for the community and currently have “Together Lake Chelan” stickers on sale.  T-shirts will be available soon.  Mike Steele has been working on the next round of emergency funding with congressional partners and state chamber.  Chamber has received 80 responses back on impact survey sent out to the business community.

Debbie Conwell, Manson Chamber of Commerce: Reminded everyone of the May 2nd Food Bank collection at Northshore Bible Church.  Cash donations accepted give greater purchasing power of needed food items.

Jim Colbert, Chelan Fruit: Gave an update about the challenges of implementing effective infection control measures with a 600 to 900-member workforce.  Working hard to reduce worker density and provide necessary PPE to workforce on packing lines which will be difficult with the impending cherry harvest.  May reach out to the group for help with masks if needed.

Mayor Bob Goedde, City of Chelan: Finalizing Proclamation on Short Term Rentals/2nd Homeowners to stay isolated in one location and not move back and forth during this period of social distancing.  Concerned with non-residents coming into the community which increase potential for virus spread in a community with limited resources.

Chief Arnold Baker, CCFD#5 (Manson): Reiterated the need for people to obey the current measures in place for social distancing and preventing virus spread.  CCFD #5 is healthy, staffed, available, and ready to help the community.

Chief Mike Asher, CCFD #8 (Entiat): No issues or concerns at the moment, CCFD #8 has been able to handle current calls.  District personnel and apparatus participated in the Entiat Senior Drive By.

Chief Mark Donnell, CF&R: Currently have sufficient stock of PPE with the exception of disposable gowns.  Currently have one member recuperating at home, non-Covid flu symptoms, all others are healthy and response ready.  Have seen a decrease in our EMS call volume but have an increase in our fire/fire related calls.  Current staffing has been able to mitigate these events but we are expecting a busier than normal fire season.  Have hired two seasonal firefighters which will start employment on May 1st working through fire season.

Roundtable: Nothing added.

Conference Call ended at 1410

Submitted by: Mark Donnell, Chelan Fire & Rescue