The powerful storms, which made landfall in September and October respectively, left a trail of destruction that disrupted the lives of thousands in our communities, our patients and employees. Homes were damaged, power outages were widespread, and access to essential medical care was severely impacted.
Here are several impactful stories from our resilient staff; hear it from them in their own words.
Patrick, Center Manager from Vero Beach
“I wanted to share our recent experience due to hurricane Milton. In Vero beach we had 3 destructive tornados hit our service area that destroyed homes and property, took out power and internet for 3-5 days, and sadly took many lives in our community. But, despite not having phones or internet, I had our sales rep (that was on PTO in Kentucky) communicating with our hospitals directly, and one of our CSR's stationed in Stuart (working faxes and processing orders) both directly reporting to me through text and teams so we could successfully coordinate the discharge of 5 oxygen patients and provided service to every patient of ours that called and was in need. Last week was challenging but rewarding, I am very proud of our staff.”
Tami, Area Manager from Inverness, FL
“Cole (Kassie) went above and beyond to not only help our patients this past storm but for the past 2 storms. She came into work with no power or running water at home to get the Center up and running. She did an assessment of the Center and kept everyone in communication. She returned emails, calls, and helped anyone that called or walked in. She has only been with the company for a little over 6 months and is still learning something new daily. That did not deter her from coming in and holding down the fort. She found a way to help every patient and still make sure drivers and team members stayed safe during this time and was functional.”
Kim, one of our Center Managers at the Winston Salem Center, sprang into action upon learning that several colleagues in nearby Centers were lacking essential supplies and water. It was a Sunday afternoon, and she was at a family gathering when she received the news. Without hesitation, she began calling local stores to check their inventory. Kim left her family event to gather as much water and essential items as possible. Additionally, she coordinated with her co-workers in the affected Centers to arrange for a van to be filled and sent to those in need. This generous act was immensely appreciated and brought a ray of hope on what was a truly devastating day for many.
When asked to share his experience, Drew, one of our area managers, expressed that he wasn't sure where to begin regarding the resilience shown in his area during this catastrophic storm. ”We ended up with four employees whose homes were damaged in the storm: three suffered flooding, and one had a tree fall through the sunroom. All employees in the upper east territory were without power or water for several days, yet they still came through for our patients.”
Centers operated on Saturdays and Sundays to provide patients with essential supplies and equipment. Additionally, contact was established by staff with all local shelters to assist any displaced patients requiring services. Regional Managers from Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina collaborated throughout the week to coordinate the loading of trucks with water, supplies, and equipment to support the affected centers, remaining on standby to ensure they had everything necessary.
COO Greg McCarthy expressed, “In the face of adversity the Lincare team has always risen to the challenge of preparation and post storm response. Both of these storms were no different and once again our team not only provided great care and comfort to our patients but our employees alike. Thanks to all those involved and know your efforts were noticed and appreciated.”
As recovery efforts continue, Lincare remains steadfast in its mission to provide high-quality respiratory care to those in need. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, partners, and local communities for their resilience and cooperation during these challenging times.
It's crucial to emphasize the importance of preparedness for future storms. Natural disasters can strike with little warning, and being prepared can significantly impact your safety and well-being. For more preparedness tips and detailed guidance, be sure to check out our emergency preparedness blog. We have also provided some links to valuable resources below that support disaster and emergency preparedness. Remember, taking steps now can make all the difference when the next storm arrives.
Stay informed, stay prepared, and stay safe.
Preparedness Resources:
- https://www.fema.gov/disaster
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies.html
- https://www.ready.gov/kit?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P_eZC7tx1aq4-Tz1_Eu7dQWHe5otlj6fu-2YfnRjqCh1gFT-FVtyUsaAo8IEALw_wcB#
- https://ors.od.nih.gov/ser/dem/emergencyPrep/Pages/Disaster-Preparedness-Tips.aspx
