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Protecting health and welfare
Published June 23, 2009
The wind storm that blew through Scottsboro in April, affecting many throughout the city, also did its number on the Jackson County Health Department.
Judy Smith, the public health administrator of the Alabama Department of Health, said the loss of electricity damaged vaccines in Jackson County.
"We lost $1,500 worth of vaccines," said Smith, who oversees seven counties, including Jackson. "If not for the rapid response of nurses here it could have been potentially a lot worse."
Following the storm on April 13, employees of the health department loaded up vaccinations into coolers and carried them to the Scottsboro Fire Department.
Chief Environmentalist Winifred Cotten said, in his 34 years, he had never seen a power outage like the one caused by the storm.
Recently, with the help of the Jackson County Legislative Delegation, the health department took measures to avoid potential losses from future storms and power outages.
The delegation contributed $1,000 for a generator for the health department.
Smith said, with the loss of power now, the generator can maintain up to three refrigerators full of vaccines.
"These are very precious vaccines," said Smith. "We want to keep them safe. We are so appreciative of the legislative delegation's response."
Sen. Lowell Barron said it was a continuing response on the delegation's part in times of crisis.
"We're just helping protect the health of our children," said Barron.
Rep. Butch Taylor agreed, saying it was very important to keep the health department in a position to help people.
"I'm glad we could provide this for the people of Jackson County," said Taylor.
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