New portable hospital tent will provide back-up in emergencies

Fire Chief Phil Gridley, along with members of the MHFD and several other local volunteers, began a test run with their new portable hospital Thursday.

The hospital that will serve as a secondary facility to treat patients during an emergency situation.

The early morning construction served two purposes -- to ensure the tents are functional once erected and to get emergency personnel trained on constructing the tent.

The hospital was one of three portable hospitals purchased from a $450,000 grant made possible by the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, an office of Health and Human Services out of Washington, D.C.

The hospital is made of up of two sections, a 40x20' main section that would hold a maximum of 25 beds and a 30x20' vestibule that would be used to connect one hospital to another portable hospital.

The other two portable hospitals purchased by the grant are owned by the Ada County Paramedics and Donnelly Fire/EMS in Valley County.

"The tent at first was meant to serve as a medical hospital, but it could also be used as a command post or as a sleep shelter. The possibilities for these tents are endless," said George Pinque, ASPR healthcare liaison.

The tent will be used at the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games Feb. 7-13.