I just finished week six of my internship. This last week was another busy one: my schedule was filled with some exciting projects and I got to sit in on some educational meetings.
After going to the CareVentures conference the previous week, I received a few project ideas to work on moving forward. One of which is using the data from Casper reports and using that information to note areas that need strengthening and implement new procedures to improve the facility. I am directly working with Jeri (director of nursing) on these projects and we are moving the project along at a pretty good pace.
The last day of the week, Friday the 20th, at the very end of the work day I was reading up on a grant we plan to apply for, when some of the maintenance workers came sprinting past my door, running for the exit. I was curious what was going on so I asked around and found out Pioneer Pointe had an alarm going off. I went over there to see what the commotion was and there were a couple fire trucks already there by the time I arrived. I was told there was no immediate danger and that I could walk in and check out the scene. Apparently one of the pipes that lead to the sprinklers in the attic busted and it flooded a few units on the top floor and began leaking down to the ground floor. In just a very short time the second floor had a sizeable puddle. Luckily Brad, the environmental director, was able to arrive on the scene and have the water shut off very quickly to minimize damages. The whole Pioneer maintenance crew and other staff also dove right into action.
The Fergus Falls fire department deserves a huge thank you as well! They swooped in, vacuumed as much water out as they could, and helped us relocate tenants affected to new units along with their household items. Remember this was on a Friday night so they could have left after the emergency was over and get on with their evening but they stayed way past the expected departure time until everyone was moved over to their new unit. So thank you Fergus Falls Fire Department as you guys went above and beyond the call of duty. Itis greatly appreciated.
While I was saddened to see the situation’s impact on people living at Pioneer Pointe, as an intern it was neat to see the Pioneer team and the fire department work together so well and so swiftly to help out their community.
Editor’s note: Justin Boldt is in the midst of an administrative internship at PioneerCare. He has been pursuing his master’s degree in healthcare administration at Minnesota State University Moorhead and will graduate after completing his internship here.
