Local Hospitals Prepare for Total Solar Eclipse in Rochester: Ensuring Safety and Readiness for Influx of Visitors
Rochester, a city known for its vibrant community and rich history, is gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime event – the Total Solar Eclipse. With no playbook to guide them, local hospitals have been diligently preparing for this extraordinary phenomenon for the past year. Their main goal? To ensure the safety and well-being of everyone during this remarkable celestial event.
Anticipating an influx of as many as 500,000 extra people in the region, hospitals and emergency responders are leaving no stone unturned in their preparations. David Chafetz, the director of the Strong Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Team, emphasizes the importance of being ready for any potential increase or surges in volume. Drawing from their experience with the PGA, where they didn’t witness a significant spike in volumes, they are determined to be over-prepared rather than under-prepared.
One of the major concerns for the day of the eclipse is traffic. If roads become congested, healthcare workers may face difficulties reaching their workplaces, and patients in need of emergency services could face delays. Robert Johnson, the Senior Director of Emergency Preparedness for Rochester Regional Health, highlights the potential challenges that could arise if incidents occur on main thoroughfares such as the Thruway, 490, or 590. In such cases, traffic would divert to areas ill-equipped to handle the sudden influx.
To mitigate these challenges, both healthcare systems have decided to discharge patients earlier than usual on the day of the eclipse. This strategy aims to minimize additional traffic on the roads during the time of totality. Additionally, several helicopter landing zones have been established throughout the region to facilitate critical situations when regular ambulance transports may be hindered by traffic.
Recognizing that communication is key during emergencies, hospitals have coordinated special channels and radios to stay connected with first responders in case cell signal becomes an issue. They are also closely monitoring the larger gatherings expected in the region, such as Innovative Field, RMSC, the Regional Market, and SUNY Brockport. Strong West, the free-standing emergency department in Brockport, is expected to experience a surge in volume, prompting the hospitals to increase staffing in that area.
In preparation for the eclipse, hospitals have put a number of providers on standby and have additional staff on-call. This ensures that if the need arises, extra personnel can be called in promptly. The advice given to healthcare employees who have to work in-person on the day of the eclipse is valuable for everyone. They are encouraged to treat it like they would a winter event or a snowstorm – ensuring they have essentials such as medications, food, entertainment, and books in case they get stuck in traffic.
While neither major health system has explicitly advised against scheduling routine visits on the afternoon of the eclipse, it is expected that the volume will be slightly lower than usual due to most of the region coming off spring break.
As Rochester eagerly awaits the Total Solar Eclipse, local hospitals are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and readiness of their facilities. Their comprehensive preparations, from early discharges and helicopter landing zones to enhanced communication systems and additional staffing, reflect their commitment to providing exceptional care during this extraordinary event. With their dedication and foresight, residents and visitors alike can experience the eclipse with peace of mind, knowing that their well-being is in capable hands.