Thursday afternoon, Tanner Health System President and CEO Loy Howard recalled what he saw when he arrived at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton that August night when a fire suppression line in the hospital’s new emergency department ruptured.
“The first thing I saw were Carrollton firefighters in full gear coming out through the front doors of the emergency department,” said Howard. “I was sad that they had to be there, but like everyone else there that night, I was very happy to see them.”
On Thursday, Aug. 23—just two days before a public open house event to showcase the new emergency department and expanded surgical services unit at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton—a fire suppression line ruptured in the new emergency department, spilling more than 12,000 gallons of water into the new expansion and leaving up to two inches of standing water.
When the fire suppression line ruptured, the hospital’s emergency fire alarms were triggered. Within minutes, personnel from the City of Carrollton Fire Department were on scene. These trained rescue professionals went right to work, jumping in alongside Tanner employees and working until late into the night to stop the spreading water and preserve as much of the new space from damage as possible.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, Tanner plans once again to host the community for a public open house to showcase the new—and newly renovated—emergency department and surgical services expansion at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton. The public will be invited to tour the new expansion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
But first, to express the health system’s deep appreciation for the fast response and tireless efforts of the heroes at the City of Carrollton Fire Department, Tanner presented the department with two Stryker evacuation chairs to help the department provide an even higher level of safety and protection to the residents of Carrollton. The chairs were presented during a special luncheon at the City of Carrollton Fire Department’s Station 24, catered by LowCountry Barbecue.
“We wanted to do something to thank you for everything you did that night,” Howard told the firefighters. “But we also wanted to give you something lasting, something you could use to serve our community as we do.”
The Stryker evacuation chairs presented by the health system enable a single person to safely move a disabled individual from a multi-story building. The chairs are an essential solution to help rescue personnel remove an ill or disabled individual from harm.
Stryker’s patented Stair-TREAD system eliminates manual lifting when moving immobile persons downstairs, reducing the risk of operator injury. Its design delivers evacuation mobility solutions previously unavailable in any stair chair. Lightweight aluminum construction enhances utility and ease of operation, according to the manufacturer. Howard said the health system uses Stryker products in several areas of its operations and has had excellent results with the brand.