In the facilities management department of the Collier County Government in Fla., having prepared well in the past is paying off now as they respond to the swine flu outbreak. Spurred by the bird flu, the county created a response plan that they will now be updating and following for the swine flu.
With only one possible swine flu case in Florida, hundreds of miles north in Orlando, the facilities department’s position is to be prepared and aware at this stage, says Damon Gonzales, facilities manager for the county’s Department of Facilities Management.
Being prepared includes making sure they have necessary supplies on hand, such as masks, food and water. Hand sanitizer stations are also being located throughout county buildings. For example, the facilities department is also in charge of security. Hand sanitizer is being made available after security checkpoints, where packages are often handled back and forth.
In addition, the facilities department is reminding building occupants to follow the practices health organizations have been recommending, such as proper hand washing and staying home if they feel sick. “Basically, it’s the stuff your parents taught you to do,” Gonzales says.
They’ll be monitoring the news in case the current situation develops into something more serious and taking their lead for closures and the like from the emergency management department, Gonzales says.
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