The Pennsylvania National Guard is lending a hand during the coronavirus outbreak, and this weekend, assisted FEMA in setting up a federal medical station at a school in Delaware County.
The 25 guardsmen on state active duty provided logistical support to FEMA in their efforts to open this facility at the Glen Mills School, which can house non-coronavirus patients with less severe conditions should hospitals become too full, Pennsylvania National Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Keith Hickox said in a press release Sunday.
Southeastern Pennsylvania is seeing the bulk of coronavirus cases. As of Sunday, there were 3,394 cases reported in the state.
The FEMA medical center will be able to house 250 beds, and it will be staffed by medical personnel from around the region, CBS Philadelphia is reporting.
The soldiers converting the school to a temporary hospital are from the 103rd Engineer Battalion, which traces its roots to the Associators, established by Benjamin Franklin in 1747, Hickox said.
“We were one part of a team of teams coming together to support the local community,” Maj. Joseph D. Martinkis, commander of the 103rd Engineer Battalion, said. “Being able to work alongside these civilian authorities is part of the diverse skill set held by our National Guardsmen.”
Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.