GREEN SPRINGS—When the recent flooding in Tiffin forced the Ruffing Family Care Center to evacuate 36 of its residents, St. Francis Health Care Centre in Green Springs offered its assistance.

Jean Smith, director of business development and executive director of the Hospital Foundation at St. Francis, and Sarah Ruffing, administrator of Ruffing Family Care Center, had been making preliminary plans in case of an evacuation.

The decision to evacuate and bring the Ruffing residents to St. Francis was made at 4:30 a.m. Feb. 8. Ms. Smith had extra staff report to to work and, with the help of Fire Chief Greg Lowe and his team at the Green Springs Fire Department, they were able to receive all of the Ruffing residents.

Staff at the two facilities worked together to make a smooth transition for the residents. The St. Francis Health Care Centre staff and emergency response teams worked with the Ruffing staff to offer compassion and support. Together they were able to help care for the residents and staff. For the day, they became an extension of the St. Francis Health Care Centre mission.

While at St. Francis, the Ruffing residents had their meals provided, housekeeping and laundry done while also receiving nursing support. After a period of approximately 12 hours it was safe for the residents to return to Tiffin.

Again, Chief Lowe arranged the emergency squads and transportation to take the residents back to their home facility. The communities of Sandusky and Seneca counties and the two skilled nursing facilities were able to provide the care and emergency response necessary to secure the safety of all involved.