The state of emergency, at this point, will not result in additional restrictions to activity or movement that has not already been ordered statewide by Gov. Holcomb. County residents are urged to continue to practice social distancing, limit travel to essential activities only, and continue strict health and hygiene practices laid forth by the U.S. Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Department of Health.

Tyler Campbell, public information officer for the IMT, reports the newly formed unit is a function identified by the department of homeland security and FEMA to assist with incidents that overwhelm a current agency’s capabilities. He noted the staff of the Pulaski County Health Department have been working tirelessly to maintain situational awareness of the COVID-19 pandemic, adherence to executive orders by Gov. Holcomb, and the health and well being of Pulaski County residents.

“These tasks were greatly taxing the current abilities of that small department,” Campbell explained in a statement. “The Pulaski County emergency management agency began the formation of the IMT to assist with the duties, streamline chain of command, and assist with distribution of equipment and supplies, not only to the health department, but all response agencies in the county.”

The Pulaski County IMT is led by Dr. Rex Allman, county health officer, as the incident commander. Other positions on the command and general staff are filled by a mix of county and municipal employees. Those staff positions are paid for by their parent agencies, or in some cases, the staff is volunteering time to assist with the pandemic. The members were chosen for their knowledge of the incident command system or their specific knowledge related to their duties. Pulaski County government officials, as well as all municipalities in the county, have a place on the incident management team to be represented. The IMT liaison officer, Nathan Origer, has been making contact with those high ranking or elected officials to ensure they are represented and how requests can be made through the incident management team.

“With the recently confirmed first case of COVID-19 in Pulaski County, health and sanitation is important now more than ever,” Campbell added. “With the spring weather upon us, and the desire to enjoy that weather, we must always maintain the highest level of precaution.”

Health officials recommend that everyone always remain at least six feet from other people, limit gatherings to 10 persons or less, wear a N95 or other mask when feasible, wash hands regularly, and limit travel to only the absolute essentials.

 Anyone with a fever of over 100 degrees, cough, and/or shortness of breath is urged to contact the Pulaski Memorial Hospital hotline at (574)-946-2586 for further instruction and assistance. If you believe you have an immediate medical emergency, call 911 and inform the communications officer of your symptoms accurately so the first responders can take the proper precautions.

Persons in need of routine medications should contact their primary care physician by telephone and request additional prescriptions. Also, those needing medications are encouraged to contact their pharmacy and see if alternate arrangements can be made to receive prescriptions to limit exposure for themselves and others. For those who do not currently have a primary care physician, contact the Pulaski Memorial Hospital medical/surgical group for guidance or assistance.

“The members of the incident management team and Pulaski County government are elated about the amount of cooperation across political boundaries and geographic borders,” Campbell reports. “The ability to come together as a community to see to the safety of our citizens as the primary concern is something that has not been seen in many years. The citizens and businesses of this county have come together and donated so much time and money to one another that it is just unbelievable.”

The IMT also thanks all the healthcare workers in the hospitals and other care facilities, firefighters and rescue personnel, police officers, workers in infrastructure, community leaders, and everyone who is “doing the right thing for the right reason.”