News Photo by Steve Schulwitz On Wednesday, health officials are seen filling oxygen tanks at the portable oxygen trailer parked at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Austin Conway, Emergency Management supervisor for MyMichigan Health, said the trailer fills tanks for EMS rigs, ambulances, and personal oxygen tanks.

ALPENA — A portable oxygen trailer has been deployed to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena to meet the needs of the community. Several community officials have stated how important this resource is to mitigate issues arising in the wake of the recent, unprecedented ice storm.

According to a recent press release from MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, the center received an oxygen trailer on Wednesday to fill oxygen tanks for area emergency personnel and community members.

Austin Conway, emergency management supervisor for MyMichigan Health, explained that the trailer is for portable oxygen tanks as well as larger tanks that EMS rigs carry.

“There’s such a critical need of oxygen in the town, as well as in the outlying counties,” Conway said. “The demand (for oxygen) has been substantial following the storm.”

Conway explained that the trailer had over 100 portable small oxygen tanks and had already supplied several ambulances within 30 minutes of when the trailer was first operational.

In the MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena press release, Conway also commented on the storm and resources that have been provided to the area.

“Throughout this incident, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena has used the emergency protocols we have trained for over the years,” Conway said. “We have statewide resources we’ve been able to access to help the community receive vital health care such as oxygen as well as provide an area for warmth.”

Alpena Fire Chief Rob Edmonds explained that it is rare for a portable trailer to be deployed, but the high demand for oxygen in the area prompted the trailer to be shipped to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.

“We are thankful to have it here,” Edmonds said. “We need (the oxygen trailer) to keep up with oxygen demands.”

Edmonds explained that if individuals in the community have private providers who can supply them oxygen, they should go through them first. However, Edmonds said that the trailer is another option for people in the area.

In the hospital’s press release, MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena President Hunter Nostrant thanked the authorities who got the oxygen tanks to Alpena.

“We are grateful to Governor Whitmer, the State Police Emergency Management and the Regional Health Coalition for deploying this portable oxygen refill trailer for our community members,” Nostrant said.

Additionally, the press release stated that the center has resumed normal outpatient appointments, procedures, and testing. This includes provider clinics and Urgent Care.

According to the press release, a Hospital Incident Command has been operational since Sunday and is monitoring for any issues, including any additional inclement weather that may exacerbate the current crisis.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.