(Toledo News Now) - ProMedica has been working for the past year with local, state and regional agencies on a contingency plan in the event of a 'do not drink' order.
Brian Biggie, the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for ProMedica said this year, they're ready for any changes in the water quality.
"Each individual facility has a certain amount of portable water onsite. We also, as a system have 20,000 bottles of water stored in a warehouse close to Toledo Hospital," Biggie said.
That plan also includes Memorandums of Understanding with local warehouses to deliver water in a timely manner and utilization of off-site sterilization for hospital equipment.
"They'll transition to disposable plates and silverware just to ensure that the water we do have is being used for drinking and consumption," he said. "Surgeries will depend on ability to sterilize."
They would also switch to a non-water based food menu as they did when the water was unsafe to use or consume in 2014.
"What we may do is we'll transition to food that doesn't require much water preparation. They'll still have a very varied menu based on clinical necessity, things like that."
This year, ProMedica is fully prepared in advance of any water emergency that may arise.
"We definitely have things in place where we will utilize buddy hospitals if, indeed, it has been determined that we cannot sterilize like we used to," said Biggie.
Last year, while directing water emergency operations, Bryan Biggie became a grandfather.
"August 2 I had my first grandbaby. Her name is Penelope. My daughter ended up delivering and it was the beginning of the water crisis," he said.
In case of another emergency this year, patients and families should know that there is a plan in place.
ProMedica also reiterated the fact that they will follow the protocol and precautions issued by the Lucas County Health Department and the city of Toledo in conjunction with their action plan this year.
"This is something we're going to be living with for quite some time. So it's our goal to be as prepared to minimize disruption."
