Camden County Health Services Center Temporarily Evacuated

The Gloucester Township EMS Alliance coordinated the treatment and evacuation of approximately 225 individuals.

Gloucester Twp, NJ July 8, 2011 – Last night, the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance coordinated the treatment and evacuation of approximately 225 individuals initially from the Camden County Health Services Center. During yesterday’s storm, at approximately 6:30 PM, lighting blew the center’s power distribution transformer causing a fire and loss of power and services to residents of the Camden County Health Services Center. The Gloucester Township EMS Alliance provided 8 ambulances and 18 EMTs on scene while maintaining regular, uninterrupted service to Gloucester Township. The Gloucester Township EMS Alliance (GTEMSA) was the main coordinator between GTEMSA, the Camden County OEM, and the Camden County EMS, which in total provided 20 ambulances and 4 wheelchair accessible buses.

“Many of these residents have behavioral and physical needs that require medical attention. With the power out, we need to ensure their safety and well-being”, stated Jamie Centrone, local coordinator of the scene and acting supervisor for the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance. Eventually it was determined 145 patients needed to transferred to temporary shelter at the Camden County Fire Academy.

With services restored this morning, the patients have been transferred back to the Camden County Health Services Center.

“This was a massive effort on everyone’s part to ensure the safety of our residents”, states Ed Glennon, President of the Gloucester Township EMS Alliance board.

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=8238149

http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/07/07/camden-county-elderly-care-center-evacuated-after-lightning-strike/