Preparing for Joaquin

Nassau University Medical Center goes into high gear

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Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano joins Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Victor F. Politi in announcing the hospital is in full preparation for a possible hurricane heading toward the East Coast. 

To get ready for inclement weather conditions, NUMC is testing emergency generators, replenishing food and other supplies, and securing the facility, grounds and equipment for potential strong winds and heavy rain.

The center’s emergency management team is also making sure ambulances and other equipment and facilities are prepared, including the oncology center, the veteran clinic and heliports. As a Level One trauma center, it is prepared to receive patients at the A. Holly Paterson facility and has the electrical capacity to assist other hospitals, clinics and nursing homes during emergencies, as it did during the Irene and Sandy storms.

“Superstorm Sandy painfully reminded us that given our location as an island, we are vulnerable to the Atlantic Ocean and susceptible to the powerful and destructive nature of hurricane force winds and tropical storms such as Joaquin,” said County Executive Mangano. “It is critical that residents follow emergency instructions and adopt emergency plans as listed on our website and in hurricane preparedness mailings.”

The medical center has always served as a resource during times of emergencies and disasters and has received patients from other facilities that were in harm's way. It also serves as a medical control center for all emergency ambulances in Nassau County and maintains communication towers for most municipal and federal agencies. 

In a prepared statement, NUMC officials said it would be “fully staffed and ready to assist all who need its services during this potential weather event.”