<< View All Press Releases

An Accidental Flooding Situation Thwarted by Mee Employees

It was a Tuesday morning in late October that seemed like the start of any other day in the Diagnostic Imaging department of Mee Memorial Hospital: outpatients were coming in for x-rays, scans and mammograms; inpatients were carefully being transported into the department for their physician-ordered procedures.  But it was not a typical day at Mee.

In one swell swoop of moving a piece of imaging equipment, the department’s fire sprinkler system was set off at a rate of 50 gallons of water per minute.  “At least we know it [fire sprinkler system] works,” exclaimed Larry Blanco, Assistant Manager of Mee’s Diagnostic Imaging department.  “Up until this accident occurred, the system had never been activated because it was never needed.  It was a little unnerving to see what happens when an x-ray carriage component and a fire sprinkler head come into contact with another, but with a lot of great teamwork, we got through it.”

As soon as the fire sprinkler system was activated – shooting gallons of water into the department – Blanco quickly turned off all electrical power in the room and started to contain the flooding as best possible.  Maintenance personnel were immediately summoned, Tri-County Fire Safety Services and the King City Fire Department were called and responded, and the hospital’s Disaster Response Team quickly was on the scene to help.  The water system was plugged, then drained and assessed for damage.

“It was a true learning experience,” says Blanco.  “The process worked and it worked well.  Plus, we learned exactly how to shut off the water valves should it ever again be required.  Everybody did a great job in responding, helping and efficiently getting the problem under control.  It was a fantastic team effort – and in an emergency no less!”

In addition to Blanco, the Mee employees who were a part of this team effort included Deryl Day and Tony Jacoby (in Engineering); Miguel Grajeda and Gabe Anciso (in Surgery Services); and most of the Environmental Services department, all of whom were voted “Employee of the Month,” including Felipa Daniel, Tere Santillan, Mayte Lopez, Patricia Serrato, Consuelo Serrato, Herlinda Carrillo and Roy DeAnzo.  Of particular note is fireman Greg Burkman, who was tremendously helpful and diligent in his efforts to stop the flooding.

The actual damage has not yet been determined and is still to be assessed.  To date, there has been at least $40,000 loss of revenue because of the accident.  Most importantly, because this problem has the potential to be a repeat performance, the hospital has added a safety cap feature to the fire sprinkler system.

Mee Memorial Hospital is a 123-bed, not-for-profit hospital and the anchor facility of Mee Health Systems, a network of healthcare centers, clinics and outreach programs throughout King City, Greenfield, Soledad in southern Monterey County.  Mee Health Systems is committed to the wellness of the communities we serve, and providing access to comprehensive healthcare in a caring, professional and responsible environment.  To learn more about Mee and its facilities, visit www.meememorial.com.

##