GUARD-IAN ANGELS
FIRST RESPONDERS SALUTE PA. GUARDSMEN ASSISTING AT BROOMALL NURSING HOME
MARPLE » First responders held a show of support for Pennsylvania National Guard Medical teams and medical staff at the Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Monday afternoon. The joint National Guard Medical Strike Team was called to assist at the nursing home Saturday after staffing shortages from the COVID-19 pandemic left the acute-care facility in need of assistance.
With 18 deaths, Marple Township has been one of the hardest hit municipalities in Delaware County from the COVID-19 virus and nursing homes have borne the brunt of that.
State officials have not released specific numbers of deaths in each nursing home but statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Health confirm that in the 37 nursing homes in Delaware County, 427 residents and 45 staff members have tested positive. Of the 100 deaths in Delaware County, 68 have been in nursing homes.
Marple Ambulance Corps Deputy Chief Andy Tucker said his squad responds to Broomall Nursing Home multiple times a day and many calls have been COVID-19 related.
Tucker said when they do respond, crews, comprised of both volunteers and career medics, don full protective gear.
“Thank you guys so much for the help. I’m almost in tears,” a Broomall Nursing Home supervisor told guardsmen as they arrived on Saturday. “Up until yesterday, I didn’t know how we were going to make this happen. We literally have no staff. Staff is calling out. They are afraid to be here, which I understand, but in the health care field we have to do what have to do - take care of our patients. That is my number one priority, making sure my residents are safe as well as my staff is safe.”
Monday’s salute was organized by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-165 of Springfield, and included Marple police, Broomall Fire Co. and Marple Ambulance.
“We found out the National Guard was here which heightened everyone’s attention to what is going on,” said O’Mara. “We wanted to do a salute to the National Guard and the staff here, because of all the hard work they are doing taking care of residents. It’s a good way for the community to come together as well.”
The first responders stood in the parking lot, sounding their sirens and waving as medical teams stood at windows, waved back and took videos. One patient could also be seen with a smile on her face as she waved from her upper-floor window.
A number of staff members, clad in masks, face shields and gowns, stepped outside briefly to watch the excitement.
“It’s so nice,” shouted one nursing home staff member across the parking lot.
The National Guard members assisting Broomall consist of 12 Army National Guard medics from 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment and 6 nurses from the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’s 193rd Det 1, from Fort Indiantown Gap.
“This is something we train for all the time,” said Air Force Major Thomas Wagner, doctor of nursing practice, 193rd Medical Group. “We’re ready. We have the equipment and the experience.”
National Guard spokesman Master Sgt. George Roach said the deployment had been extended beyond the original three days, but that an exact time frame had not been finalized.
O’Mara said there is also concern about nursing home residents’ mental health as they are prevented from seeing family and friends during the pandemic. She is working on a program to get the community to send cards.
“We understand the challenges that many long-term care facilities, such as the Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, are facing right now, and together with support from the Chester County Health Department, we are doing everything we can to support the staff, patients and their loved ones,” Delaware County Council Chairman Brian Zidek said. “This call to the National Guard for temporary staffing is one way we are able to provide support.”
“The benefit of the National Guard is it fills an immediate near-term need,” said Delaware County Director of Emergency Services Tim Boyce. “It is not a long-term solution to health care, it is not a long-term solution to staffing. It is a real time, efficient, cost-effective way that we’re not spending more money evacuating people, dealing with sicker people or transporting. One of the greatest things is how quick the National Guard was able to be out here.”
Broomall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is owned by SavaSeniorCare Administrative Services, LLC and is based in Atlanta, Ga. Founded in 2004, the company offers skilled nursing, long-term care, memory and dementia care and rehabilitative services.
“Seeing people from a room wave and give thumbs up and take pictures, puts tears in my eyes,” said O’Mara. “It’s also a testament to the first responders.”