These are your #LocalHeroes — ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Sweetwater County. This SweetwaterNOW series highlights those often unnoticed acts of kindness to the incredible actions of many in our community.

Being prepared is the primary reason the Sublette County COVID-19 Response Group (SCCRG) has been effective during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Before the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic hit Sublette County, local leaders stepped up to the plate and wasted no time assembling and preparing for the challenges brought on by an unfamiliar virus.

“By the time Wyoming recorded its first case, and the national and state emergencies were declared, the response group had been meeting and its structure in place,” SCCRG Public Information Officer Cat Urbigkit said.

The group is made up of a broad range of members, all who have played an essential role in guiding the community through the pandemic.

“Sublette County Unified Fire Warden Shad Cooper heads the group which includes elected officials and staff from Sublette County government, as well as the towns of Marbleton, Pinedale, and Big Piney,” Urbigkit said. “The Sublette County Rural Health Care District, Public Health, and County Health Officer Dr. Brendan Fitzsimmons are key members of the group, as are representatives of our two county senior citizen centers and the Sublette Center, our long-term care facility. From the directors of our ambulance service, fire protection services, emergency management, search and rescue, law enforcement, to our school district superintendents, chamber of commerce representatives, and volunteer groups like the Pinedale Lions Club, and representatives from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, this group has the capacity to coordinate efforts across broad swathes of Sublette County.”

Over the last several months, the SCCRG has faced many challenges. One of those continuing obstacles is not having a hospital in the county. To combat that unique circumstance, Urbigkit said that the group has stayed in contact with partner hospitals in other counties to stay on their radar as part of the community those hospitals serve. In addition, a plan for the Sublette County Rural Health Care District to manufacture and install COVID-19 isolation units at local medical clinics was also made.

Another challenge the group had to overcome early on in the pandemic was shortage of supplies and staff. Coordination between the group helped solve those problems.

“When we couldn’t buy face masks and gowns for medical personnel, local sewing groups made them. When we needed hand sanitizer, the local distillery made it. When one agency is running low on something, other agencies transfer their supplies to the areas of need.”

Cat Urbigkit

Urbigkit added that when there is a staff shortage due to a COVID-19 exposure or quarantine, agencies have worked together to cover each other. For example, health care personnel from a clinic may substitute for a school nurse.

The last major challenge the group has battled is that of vulnerable populations. In response, the group made a volunteer system to deliver groceries and medications to homebound citizens and answer questions over a telephone helpline. The clinics also sorted through records and reached out to those patients with chronic medical conditions. The group also made sure mental health services were available for those who needed it and developed a resource guide to help anyone in isolation or quarantine.

Through all these trials, Urbigkit said the group has keyed in on the importance of being flexible.

“The need for flexibility in our response effort has been evident, as active cases numbers have
ebbed and flowed, and new issues arise. We try to be aware of emerging issues so we can plan
ahead in our response,” Urbigkit said.

Kindness is also contagious, something the group hopes to set an example of and spread throughout the community.

“A little kindness goes a long way,” Urbigkit said. “This is a serious public health issue, and the ability of our economy to function, and keep our schools open, depends on our everyday actions. We should remember that this pandemic affects everyone in some way, and it’s important to support each other and help those in need when we can, just like we do with other natural catastrophes.”

Do you know someone who would make a great #LocalHeroes feature? Let us know! Fill out the form below with your nomination. ?