August 18, 2021

MCHD adds Public Health Response Unit

MOBILE, Ala. — The Prevention & Wellness directorate is one of the cornerstones of traditional health services of the Mobile County Health Department (MCHD). Since 1816, public health in Mobile County has been one of education, prevention, and the promotion of wellness.

To help accomplish this goal, a new item has been added to its arsenal. It is a van called the “Public Health Response Unit.”

It is a 2020 Mercedes Sprinter Van built by Matthews Specialty Vehicles. It was purchased with the Centers of Disease Control & Prevention’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases (ELC) funds that were passed through the Alabama Department of Public Health to MCHD.

“The Public Health Response Unit was purchased under Prevention & Wellness for the COVID-19 Response Team to provide testing and vaccination services within Mobile County,” said Dr. Stephanie Woods-Crawford, Executive Director of Prevention & Wellness. “We are extremely excited that we have this opportunity to be more accessible to the community. This unit is the first of its kind at MCHD.”

The van is equipped with the following:
• Pass-through testing window,
• Integrated facial recognition and IR body temperature module,
• Medical grade refrigeration with a Temperature Data Logger,
• Integrated biohazard waste management,
• Generous lab space and work area,
• Commercial grade construction and interior finishes,
• Wi-Fi connectivity package,
• HVAC climate control system,
• Exterior awning,
• LED Interior and Exterior Lighting,
• Self-contained unit 3-kilowatt generator and twist-lock shoreline cord.

The van will help MCHD obtain one of its primary goals, which is to encourage health interventions by providing collaborative and informative education to the community. Disease prevention, community resource services, health promotion, and health education are many of the services provided by Prevention & Wellness.