Holzer Hospitals Earn StormReady Supporter Designation

CONTACT:

Tony Edwards
Warning Coordination Meteorologist
NOAA/National Weather Service Charleston, WV
304-356-5736
Tony.Edwards@noaa.gov

HOLZER HOSPITALS EARN STORMREADY SUPPORTER DESIGNATION

Holzer Hospitals in Gallipolis and Jackson are being recognized as StormReady Supporter organizations. The StormReady program is designed to help protect citizens from the dangers of all types of severe weather by arming America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property before, during and after a hazardous weather event.

Both Holzer hospitals have a robust hazardous weather response plan, including redundancy in how severe weather warning notifications are received and then relayed to the staff, patients and visitors. Numerous severe weather shelters are located throughout the facilities and staff regularly participate in safety drills and community emergency response exercises.

“Southeast Ohio regularly faces many severe weather threats including flooding, severe winter storms, and even tornadoes,” said Jamie Bielinski, Meteorologist-in-Charge of the National Weather Service in Charleston, WV. “Holzer hospitals in Jackson and Gallipolis should be commended for their proactive stance on severe weather preparedness.”

Holzer joins UC Health West Chester Hospital as the only StormReady Hospitals in the state of Ohio.

“Receiving this designation of a StormReady Supporter makes us stronger in our severe weather preparedness efforts,” shared Jennifer DeWitt, Manager, Emergency & Communications Operations, Holzer Health System. “Being prepared for any hazardous weather event reduces fear, anxiety, and leads to a quicker and more effective response. At Holzer, the safety of our patients, staff, visitors, and the community is our utmost importance.”

The nationwide community preparedness program, StormReady, founded in 1999, is a grassroots approach to preparing for natural hazards. Today, over 3,400 U.S. communities and organizations, including 61 in Ohio, are better prepared for severe weather through the StormReady program. To learn more, visit www.weather.gov/StormReady.