Ultraviolet lights streamline sanitation in Allamakee County ambulances and hospital


Allamakee County EMS receives donation of ultraviolet lights ... Representatives of the various Emergency Medical Services (EMS) departments in Allamakee County are pictured above with ultraviolet light systems recently purchased by the Allamakee County Community Foundation through the generous support of area individuals, organizations and businesses. The ultraviolet lights will be used to enhance sanitation measures in all area ambulances and at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Pictured above, left to right, are: Front row - Mindy Koenig - Postville Area Ambulance, Cheryl Livingston - Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance, Brittany Darling - Lansing EMS and Becky Benzing - Harpers Ferry Rescue Squad; Back row - Conrad Rosendahl - Lansing EMS, Randy Plaht - Postville Area Ambulance and Loren Mitchell - Waterville Ambulance. Submitted photo.

Area individuals, organizations and businesses help make the purchase through Allamakee County Community Foundation challenge grant

Amid rising numbers of positive COVID-19 cases, Allamakee County medical providers have a new avenue for stopping the spread. Harnessing the power of local generosity, the Allamakee County Community Foundation (ACCF) has purchased 12 quick-sanitizing ultraviolet (UV) lights for the six ambulances services of Allamakee County, along with special eye protection glasses, replacement bulbs and two larger lights for Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon.

“We are grateful to the people, organizations and businesses of Allamakee County who donated to this cause,” says Betty Steege, ACCF coordinator. “EMS touches us all, and the medical community needs our support more than ever as the virus continues to present challenges in our area.”

Through a challenge grant first offered in May, the Foundation matched donations dollar for dollar from its COVID-19 Health Response Fund and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) coordinated the purchase and delivery of the lights. The lights can be used for efficient, safe sanitation in as little as 10 minutes, and can be remotely activated. This greatly shortens sanitation time and allows medical spaces to be occupied much more quickly following patient use.

“The disinfecting practices used by the ambulance services in Allamakee County have always been a high priority for patient and provider safety. Adding a UV light to the existing practice allows us to disinfect on a new level and enhance everyone’s safety,” says Cheryl Livingston, a paramedic with the Veterans Memorial Hospital Ambulance Service and Allamakee County EMS.

To learn more about needs in the Allamakee County community or to donate to the Foundation’s COVID-19 Health Response Fund, contact Betty Steege at 563-586-2046 or steebo@acegroup.cc.

The Allamakee County Community Foundation works with many individuals, families, businesses and organizations to establish endowment funds that will provide grant awards for years to come. To learn more, visit dbqfoundation.org/accf.