Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Mason County health staff say 84 state-provided air purifiers reached Lake Cushman-area households after Bergholds fire
Summary
Public-health staff told commissioners they distributed 84 air purifiers and replacement filters to smoke-affected households after the Bergholds fire, using supplies received at no cost from the Washington State Department of Health and loaned units from Kitsap Public Health. Distribution relied on local fire departments and word-of-mouth.
Public-health officials reported to the county commission that they distributed 84 air purifiers and replacement filters to households affected by smoke from the Bergholds fire.
The purifiers and replacement filters were provided at no cost by the Washington State Department of Health, staff said. Kitsap Public Health also provided additional units from storage. Staff said there was no requirement to return the units and no charge to residents.
Public-health staff described a rapid distribution: three truckloads arrived and were staged at Hoodsport Fire as a distribution point. Most units were given to households in the Lake Cushman area, with a few distributed in Hoodsport and one in Shelton. Staff said most orders were delivered within 24 hours and that local fire stations were an effective distribution partner.
Staff said they used an intake form adapted from Northeast Tri Public Health with household income and size thresholds to prioritize recipients, and they posted distribution notices on Facebook; much of the uptake came through neighborhood word-of-mouth. The county also used WebEOC to place orders, with support from the county’s DEM staff.
Commissioners praised the rapid effort and the collaboration with fire departments. No formal action was requested. Staff said they plan a larger smoke-response tabletop exercise and an all‑staff meeting on Oct. 31 to coordinate future response and budgeting information.
