Medical center accepting fire evacuees

With most of Nespelem in level 2 evacuation status, Coulee Medical Center has accepted several residents of the Colville Tribal Convelscent Center, and the hospital has set up an incident command center to be ready for more should the need arise.

"As part of a mutual aid agreement we have accepted a number of residents from the Colville Tribal Convalescent Center as they have been evacuated," a CMC press release stated this afternoon. Friends and family are welcome to visit, but are asked to sign in for a visit.

While "operations at CMC are running as usual for all community health needs," it continued, the hospital is asking all staff not on shift to stay by their phones in case they are needed in an emergency.

People not in need of medical attention but who need shelter as a result of the fires can find it at Lake Roosevelt Schools at 503, Crest Drive in Coulee Dam.

The complete release is below:

8.20.15

1330

Coulee Medical Center is not experiencing any fires at this time. As part of a mutual aid agreement we have accepted a number of residents from the Colville Tribal Convalescent Center as they have been evacuated. Please feel free to stop by and visit your friends and family, we just ask that you sign in each time you visit. Operations at CMC are running as usual for all community health needs.

An Incident Command Center has been established; Bryan McCleary is the Incident Commander. Media and Public relations questions should be directed to Sommer Hicks at 509.633.6241. Employees of CMC who are not on shift are encouraged to stay by their phones in the event we would need to call you in. We appreciate your patience as we work to assist our community and our thoughts and prayers are with our firefighters, first responders and those affected by the wild fires.

There is a Red Cross shelter set up at the Lake Roosevelt High School, the contact number is 202.664.4570 or the Brewster Middle School the contact number for them is 509.496.3445. If you are in need of further assistance, the local Red Cross in Wenatchee can help, their number is 509.663.3907.