MERCER CO., Ohio (ADAMS) – With COVID-19, the flu, and other medical issues hitting Mercer County hard, officials say that the Mercer Health Hospital is busier than ever with patients.
“The in-patient unit is as full as ever and the staff is exhausted,” said 911 Administrator Monte Diegel.
In November 2020 when we did the light-up event, the staff was tired and couldn’t think of going on. Now, over a year later, they are over-exhausted, working more hours than last year and many are at their breaking point as this has been nearly 2 years now. Morale is down and we would like to help again.
Zach Piper with MCERV-Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers, along with 911 Administrator Monte Diegel from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, are setting up another public safety vehicle “light up” event to show our support for the staff at Mercer Health Hospital.
The light-up event will be held on Thursday, January 27th. If it is too cold on Jan. 27th for firetruck pumps, we will reschedule for February 3rd.
We will meet at the Coldwater Football Stadium parking lot starting at 6:00pm. If you plan to attend, please be there by 6:20pm. We would love to see enough vehicles to surround the entire hospital to show they are not alone. It would be great if everyone could send at least one truck, cruiser or EMS unit. Also, individuals with lights on their personal vehicles are welcomed and encouraged to participate. The more lighted vehicles we have, the better this event will be. We will have lights on from time leaving the football stadium to approx 7:05pm. After we are done at the hospital, we will drive around Briarwood Nursing Center to show support to them also.
Along with the light-up event, they also plan to feed the entire hospital staff on this day.
Officials say that through the support of public safety agencies, they will be able to provide meals to all employees on all shifts at all Mercer Health locations on Thursday, January 27th. Meals will be provided to over 500 Mercer Health employees.
