[August 23, 2011] HEART takes steps to prep for emergencies Tweet Aug 23, 2011 (Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Since the anthrax threats of 2001, emergency responders in the area have continued to become better prepared to handle emergencies. The Healthcare Emergency Area 4 Response Team for the Barren River region, since its formation in 2002, has purchased vital emergency equipment and put in place plans to handle emergencies, according to many of those involved in the team. "One thing we've learned is that we're not equipped to handle (special needs) sheltering," Amanda Bogard, chairwoman of the local HEART, told the board of the Barren River Area Development District on Monday. Some of the challenges that the organization faces are increasing its special needs sheltering capabilities, recruiting more medical volunteers and increasing awareness of emergency plans and resources, all with a shrinking budget, Bogard said. Bogard said funding for the current year is $149,152, which is expected to shrink about 12 percent for the next funding cycle. The agency has received as much as $361,000. Bogard said high funding in 2004-05 allowed the group to purchase satellite phones for area hospitals, health departments and some emergency management services. The satellite phones help ensure communication if land lines or cellphones experience widespread outages. Grant money also was used to convert a Warren County school bus into an ambulance bus to hold 12 to 16 stretchers. Jim Williams, field operations manager for The Medical Center's Emergency Medical Services, said the bus would be used in a mass casualty event or if a hospital needed to be evacuated. The agency also will fund, when grants become available, placing mobile trailers at hospitals in Allen, Barren, Logan and Warren counties. The goal is to have enough equipment and supplies in each trailer to provide basic medical care for 50 patients, Williams said. Allen County Judge-Executive Johnny Hobdy asked who to call if HEART's resources were needed. Bogard said to start with the county's emergency management agency. Simpson County Judge-Executive Jim Henderson said it's important for officials to be aware of the resources available to them. "We've had a slew of natural disasters these past few years and they really tax local governments, so we need to take a look at our resources," said Henderson, who also is BRADD chairman. ___ (c)2011 Daily News (Bowling Green, Ky.) Visit Daily News (Bowling Green, Ky.) at www.bgdailynews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]