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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2020)
BUSINESS A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2020 Umatilla County Search and Rescue team receives drone Good Shepherd Health Care System announces new CEO Umatilla Electric Cooperative covers cost of the new equipment By JADE MCDOWELL STAFF WRITER By NADA SEWIDAN STAFF WRITER A new state-of-the-art drone joins the Umatilla County Search and Rescue team to assist with rescue missions. Umatilla Electric Coop- erative gave a check for $5,000 to the team on July 9 to cover the cost of the drone, a DJI Mavic 2 Enter- prise Dual. “This drone has added functionality of spotlight, speakers and infrared cam- era,” Umatilla County Sgt. Dwight Johnson said. “It seems like a tailored aircraft for search and rescue mis- sions. One of the things we can do, we can fl y the drone and see if there’s an immi- nent threat to public safety.” Compared to other drones in the fl eet, this new model allows for longer fl ight times and can with- stand colder temperatures. The drone also has two cam- eras, a 4k video-capable vis- ible camera and a lower-res- olution infrared camera to help with visibility in search efforts. The infrared camera on the drone is also used to detect temperatures, which will help locate warm bodies of people who are injured or lost. Johnson said pilots of the drone also can communicate through a speaker system, either in real time or through recorded messages, such as “Stay put, we will come to you.” The drone has already been used to search for a missing person in Baker County. Johnson explained that all the above capabilities are helpful when looking for missing persons, especially Photo contributed by Umatilla County Sheriff ’s Offi ce The Umatilla County Search and Rescue team’s new drone, a DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual, takes fl ight. “OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR NEW WAYS TO HELP IN THE COM- MUNITY, AND THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT.” Steve Meyers, member service administrator at Umatilla Electric Cooperative in challenging areas. The drone can potentially help fi nd people faster or give rescuers a higher chance of fi nding them. “If we’re doing searches for those in diffi cult terrains, the drone becomes particu- larly useful,” he said. “The more tools we have, the more effective we can be and the safer everybody is.” There’s a lot of con- straints regarding drone use. Drone pilots need to be licensed through the Fed- eral Aviation Administra- tion. Johnson said they can’t fl y above 400 feet, within a certain distance of clouds, beyond line of sight or faster than 100 mph. The new drone maximum speed is 45 mph. The drone pilot also needs to know the airspace they’re fl ying in, and they cannot fl y at night without a waiver. Additional restric- tions, depending on the mis- sion type, disallow drones from fl ying without airspace clearance. One of the key reasons for purchasing the drone, according to Johnson, is to help SAR members as well. “What I always like to emphasize is the volun- teers and their dedication to the service,” he said. “Any- thing we can do to help them be more effective, like this drone, is great.” SAR is volunteer-based, and all members go through considerable training to be part of the team. They are not trained as law enforce- ment offi cers, but they assist in crime scene searches, and once a scene is made safe, they can assist in contain- ing crime scenes. They have also assisted with fl oods and fi re evacuations. Upon hearing about the SAR effort, the UEC Board of Directors voted unani- mously to provide the drone, according to Johnson. Steve Meyers, mem- ber service administrator at Umatilla Electric Coopera- tive, said the company seeks ways to help within the community. “Our Board of Directors is always looking for new ways to help in the commu- nity, and this is one example of that,” Meyers said. Good Shepherd Health Care System has chosen Brian Sims as its next pres- ident and CEO. Sims will replace Den- nis Burke, who is retir- ing after 32 years as Good Shepherd’s CEO. Sims begins Oct. 1, 2020. “We are pleased to wel- come Brian and his fam- ily to the Hermiston com- munity,” GSHCS board chair Steve Eldridge said in a statement. “After a rig- orous recruitment process including three excellent fi nalists, the Board is con- fi dent Brian is the right fi t for our organization.” According to a news release, Sims has 10 years of executive leadership experience, most recently as CEO of Lucas County Health Center in Chari- ton, Iowa, a fully accred- ited 25-bed Critical Access Hospital similar to Good Shepherd Medical Center. Sims grew up in Arkan- sas, according to the news release, and as a child sometimes slept in the hospital where his mother worked as a nurse. His aunt and several cousins also work in health care, and he said eventually he made his way into the health care fi eld as well. He has Master of Busi- ness Administration degree with an emphasis in organizational devel- opment from Upper Iowa University, according to the news release, and is currently a Fellow with the American College of Contributed photo Brian Sims will be the new president and CEO at Good Shepherd Health Care System. Sims will replace Dennis Burke, who is retiring after 32 years. Health Care Executives. “When a person learns what fuels their pas- sion, they will never work again,” he said in a state- ment. “What I do now fuels my passion and I am very thankful to have an oppor- tunity to serve GSHCS, Hermiston and our little portion of the world.” Burke pointed to the awards and other suc- cesses of the hospital Sims most recently led as an example of why Good Shepherd chose him. “Brian has a strong track record of proven experience leading a Crit- ical Access Hospital, with an emphasis on contin- ual improvement in oper- ations,” Burke said. “He is an excellent choice as CEO and will build upon our success here.” The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. www.eomediagroup.com Dr. Shanley is welcoming new patients, 6 months and older, for all their primary care needs at Good Shepherd’s Primary Care Clinic. Dr. Shanley brings over 20 years of Family Medicine expertise, treating a large variety of different health conditions that will benefit his patients. “ I am happy to fulfill the need of primary care in Hermiston and the surrounding communities, and look forward to positively impacting the health and well- being for patients of all ages, through all stages of life. - Dr. Shanley ” Welcoming New Patients Welcome Family Medicine Physician, David Shanley, MD GOOD SHEPHERD MEDICAL GROUP Primary Care Clinic 541.667.3830 620 NW 11th Street, Suite 103 Hermiston, OR 97838
