Fagner said the health department has to justify the purchase in order to obtain the grant, and said they justified the purchase by stating that it could be employed in a possible distribution site for medical countermeasures. That is, if the department ever offered a drive-through or a walk-through, the cooling centers would be useful.
But, now that the grant has been obtained, Fagner said the cooling centers – which are essentially tents that spray mist to cool off visitors – could be used at county fairs or other events in the summer. She said the county will be purchasing two ten-by-ten shelters, and they can be used either with a water hookup or with tanks of water in case there is no nearby water source.
The grant is an annual grant, but Fagner said this year they received $20,000 as opposed to the regular $10,000. While the department must first go through the county council for their approval, Fagner said it’s just a formality.
She said the department is hoping to have the equipment ready to go well before the heat of summer sets in.
