Oregon Guardsmen transport supplies to support medical response
Published 2:08 pm Thursday, March 26, 2020
- Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Luke Fox prepares 150 military cots along with 150 blankets and hygiene packs — provided by the Oregon Department of Administrative Services — to be delivered by a team of four Oregon Army National Guardsman from Salem to La Grande at the request of Union County Emergency Management in response to the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, at the request of Grant County, the team will deliver and assist in setting up three large tents to Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day to be used, if needed, to support temporary medical stations.
SALEM — The Oregon National Guard, in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services is scheduled to provide and deliver 150 military cots along with blankets and hygiene packs Thursday to La Grande.
The supplies were requested by Union County Emergency Management to support ongoing medical response in Oregon.
“We are all part of one team working together to ensure the safety of our communities throughout Oregon,” said Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department.
A crew of four Oregon Army National Guardsmen assembled the military cots, blankets and hygiene packs in Salem on Wednesday, and then loaded and transported the items to be delivered Friday in La Grande.
In addition to delivering the supplies, the team is scheduled to support a Grant County request by assisting in setting up a temporary structure or structures at Blue Mountain Hospital in John Day to be used to support short-term medial stations if and when needed.
“Our team at Blue Mountain Hospital District is thankful to the Oregon Army National Guard for answering our call for support. We envision using this tent as an important extension of our emergency department in the event there is an influx of patient volume,” said Derek Daly, the chief executive officer for Blue Mountain Hospital District.
