Planning for emergency responder relief efforts are well underway in the Town of Cobourg as the Victoria Park Campground transforms into a relief base camp for first responders and frontline medical workers in need of respite and/or self-isolation from possible exposure to COVID-19.
The Town of Cobourg’s Emergency Control Group in collaboration with the Cobourg Police Service are pleased to announce the near completion of the relief base camp to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community’s frontline medical workers and first responders. The Victoria Park Campground location was chosen due to its distance away from areas where there will be a lot of noise and activity ensuring medical workers and first responders get adequate, uninterrupted sleep and a place to self-isolate.
“The prevalence of fatigue in frontline medical staff and first responders is a major issue,” said Shannon Murphy, Emergency Planner for the Town of Cobourg. “The base camp will be focused on promoting self-care and rest, and for those who need to self-isolate due to potential exposure.”
“We all very much appreciate the efforts of Campground/Marina Manager Julie Behan-Jones who has been a major help in getting the Base Camp ready and organized over the last several days.”
First responders and frontline medical workers work hard to aid those in need, which unfortunately means that sometimes their own self-care ends up on the back burner. However, self-care routines and rituals are vital for mental, emotional, and physical health, as well as for continued disaster relief processes. Therefore, a relief base camp utilizing mobile respite and isolation trailers and other emergency structures are a must for disaster relief base camps.
Inside the mobile respite trailers generously donated by Owasco RV Centre and organized by the Cobourg Police Service, emergency responders can find the peace and quiet they need to de-stress. These trailers also serve to provide areas for alone time, relaxation, as well as sleep. Relief workers can set themselves up for success and better health by making sure they take care of their own needs as well as the needs of others. Access to mobile sleeper trailers can also encourage responders to get the sleep they need to help others effectively.
The Town of Cobourg would like to sincerely thank the Rental All Centre in Cobourg for donating nearly 1,300 feet of temporary fencing for the base camp as well as the Town of Cobourg’s Parks and Waterfront staff for their assistance setting up the base camp and the Cobourg Police Service’s logistical management.
The Town of Cobourg would like to remind citizens that the First Responder and Frontline Medical Worker Relief Base Camp is closed to the public and to please keep a safe and quiet distance away from the Victoria Park Campground at this time.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
