By Dan Hounsell

Many hospital employees work in dangerous conditions as they provide treatment and support services amid potentially dangerous diseases that threaten their safety and health. In a few hospitals, the threats to employees also extend well outside the facility.

For years, residents of Oregon’s coastal communities have been aware of the potential for a damaging Cascadia earthquake and tsunami. In 2020, Lincoln County experienced two different natural disasters – wildfires and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – that shocked residents into a greater awareness of the importance of being prepared for an emergency.

Now, each of the 825 Samaritan Health Services at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital employees working in Lincoln County will receive an emergency preparedness backpack under a grant from the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation.

Each backpack includes 32 servings of freeze-dried food, a squeeze flashlight, a portable stove and fuel tablets, a water pouch, first aid supplies, playing cards, waterproof matches, an N95 dust mask, a survival whistle, a tin cup, a poncho and a Mylar blanket.