4 minute read
Avista Hospital Acknowledges Marshall Fire Superheroes
By Megan Mayes
The Marshall Fire devastated hearts and homes in the communities of Superior and Louisville. For many of us who watched the events of December 30 unfold, our minds were stuck on heroes and hospitals, particularly Avista Adventist Hospital. Just after noon, the fire was reported more than a mile from the hospital, but extreme winds were rapidly pushing the fire closer. Through news reports and social media postings, Avista became a sort of benchmark for the severity and location of the fire. Many heroes were present within the hospital and on the frontlines of the wildfire. Isaac Sendross, CEO of Avista Adventist Hospital, would like to acknowledge their efforts both during and after the emergency.
Through the stages of pre-evacuation and total evacuation, 51 patients and all caregivers were able to safely leave in less than two hours with no loss of life. In coordination with EMS partners, ambulances and other patient transport vehicles quickly lined up outside the Emergency Department and transferred patients to two sister Centura Health facilities. Facility team members used hoses and buckets of water to protect oxygen tanks while spot fires burned near the building. Although the fire did not cause structural damage, the hospital suffered smoke damage, which staff tried to limit by shutting off the air system to prevent the circulation of smoke.
“Our caregivers and leaders knew their roles and knew exactly what needed to be done. Their priority was to get patients out safely, and they did just that. You prepare for tabletop exercises where you run through scenarios of evacuating, never imagining you would actually have to evacuate with the hospital surrounded by fire. The fact that we were able to do it safely in under two hours is just testament to the great team we have at Avista,” said Sendross.
Hospital heroes were strong and persistent: one nurse helped to evacuate a mother in labor and did not leave her side until the baby was born long after her shift had ended, while another watched smoke consume her neighborhood while she continued to care for patients. A dozen caregivers suffered a complete loss of their homes, and dozens more suffered a partial loss. Centura Health has invested financially and emotionally in supporting these caregivers with housing assistance, payroll contributions, and paid time off.
The hospital was closed for a very thorough cleaning before safely and fully reopening on January 18, 2022, and continues to undergo air quality monitoring – the results of which have been excellent. During the 19-day closure, Avista caregivers worked shifts at the other Centura hospitals that took in patients on the day of the fire. Many of those caregivers also went into Avista when it was safe to help clean and prepare for reopening. “We couldn’t have reopened to our communities so quickly were it not for the teamwork our caregivers showed,” he said.
“The outpouring of support from our community as a whole, for our hospital, and caregivers following the Marshall Fire, has been gracious and heartfelt, and for that we will be forever grateful. I know this support is hardly limited to our hospital and has been felt across the community by the acts of kindness and support for those who lost a home or business. The Marshall Fire proved we aren’t just a hospital. We are loving neighbors helping loving neighbors. In moments of darkness, our communities look to us for light; in moments of despair, they rely on us to provide them hope. I am grateful that we are once again providing light and hope through our ministry at Avista, and we are so glad to be able to once again serve our communities,” commented Sendross.
