FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Capt. Dave Wheaton, Lee County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), (941) 335-1600
                or Steven Mitnick, Lee County Health Department, (941) 332-9569

FORT MYERS, Fla. (December 1, 2000) – Lee County EMS and the Lee County Health Department were awarded the prestigious Davis Productivity Award Thursday (Nov. 30) for developing an innovative system that supplies oxygen for hurricane shelters. The team received the award in the Distinguished Work Unit Achievement Category, which also carries a cash prize of $1,500.

Now in its 12th year, the Davis Productivity Awards is a government improvement program designed to recognize and reward government employees whose work significantly and measurably increases productivity and/or saves public dollars. The award was founded in 1989 by the Davis family of Winn Dixie Stores, Inc. in a partnership between Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council of 100 and the State of Florida.

The judges’ description of Lee County’s winning nomination reads as follows:

"Disaster shelters can be a frightening place. Consider being dependent on supplied oxygen and having to worry about it running low at a local hurricane shelter.

"These nominees developed an oxygen delivery system where one single bottle of liquid oxygen can handle 20 shelterees for up to nine days. The former equipment required 17 bottles of oxygen, changed twice a day. The new system reduces costs and the incidence of injury. Staff at the shelters does not have to worry about oxygen storage, transportation, maintenance or supplies, and can concentrate their efforts on providing care to shelterees.

"This innovation falls completely outside of the nominees’ job description. It is an example of individuals from different agencies joining efforts to help communities during times of crisis. Those seeking shelter during natural disasters now have one less thing to worry about while away from their homes."

Since its inception 12 years ago, more than 5,000 state employees, teams and agencies have been recognized for achievements that have added up to more than $3 billion worth of savings for the State of Florida. That translates into savings of more than $660 for each of Florida's 4.5 million households. In 2000 alone, 625 nominations were submitted. The winning achievements totaled $279 million in savings and generated an additional $137 million in revenue – for total added value of $416 million.

Steven Mitnick, MS, ARNP, of the Lee County Health Department and Captain David Wheaton, PIER Specialist for Lee County EMS, were nominated by Mary Allison, RN, B.S.N., Lee County Health Department Executive Community Health Nursing Director, for developing the system. Mike Barnaby of the Lee County Health Department also received a Davis Productivity Award Certificate for outstanding achievement.