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PARKERSBURG -- Given recent developments related to COVID-19 the city of Parkersburg, using the six critical areas of Emergency Management and the National Incident Management System, has reviewed department operations and assessed its ability to respond and support Emergency Operations during a public health related emergency, Mayor Tom Joyce said Thursday.
The six critical areas were identified as communications, assets and resources, staff responsibilities, safety and security, utilities and support activities. The National Incident Management System includes operations, planning, logistics, and finance and administration.
Parkersburg Police and Fire departments, the mayor and personnel director participated in the Mid-Ohio Valley Health Department's exercise on Thursday. City officials this week also completed an inventory of all departments related to items deemed critical to COVID-19 anticipated needs to extend and maintain city operations and ensure city employee safety for as long as possible, Joyce said.
A limited amount of critical supplies has been obtained in the past 24 hours through normal city purchasing procedures in case a prolonged response is required, Joyce said.
The city has shared information on the CDC guidelines for preventing the spread of the viral COVID-19, proper handwashing technique, and what do when sick, Joyce said.
"While our primary objective is keeping our employees safe, I believe the city's response role will be largely supportive in that we could be called upon to support our community partners, specifically those agencies that provide direct and indirect patient care; additionally I am confident that Wood County Emergency Operations, MOV Health Department, Camden Clark Medical Center and all other related response agencies will execute their plans and duties in a timely professional manner," Joyce said.
Concerning staffing and services, the city has identified non-critical positions and services that could possibly be scaled back or discontinued on a short-, medium- or long-term basis if necessary, Joyce said.
There are no mass gathering or large events planned for the immediate future that the city would cancel, the mayor said. The city will evaluate the normal meeting schedule for outside groups who use the city building for their meetings and functions, he added.
"I encourage all citizens to educate themselves with regards to CDC guidelines on preventing the spread of COVID-19, proper handwashing and social distancing, but ultimately every person needs to make their own decisions related to how, when and where they congregate," Joyce said.