New West Hartford Official Ready For Next Public Health Disaster

Town of West Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Should the chaotic and tragic events of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 happen again, West Hartford has a new local official ready to tackle the problem.

The West Hartford Office of Emergency Management and the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District recently announced the appointment of Melissa Marquis as the medical resiliency coordinator.

Marquis, a registered nurse with a master's degree, started work July 1.

West Hartford officials said the "newly created position underscores the town's commitment to bolstering preparedness efforts in response to lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and increasing demands for disaster planning."

The responsibilities of the position include:

• Acting as a liaison between the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District and the Office of Emergency Management.
• Assisting in enhancing medical resiliency and preparedness for West Hartford residents.
• Conducting medical preparedness outreach and training for stakeholders and residents.
• Creating accessible preparedness information for patients through presentations and training sessions.
• Addressing health equity and diversity within emergency operations plans.
• Coordinating the activation of an Emergency Operations Center when there are public health and medical concerns.

Marquis brings a wealth of experience as the Public Health Emergency Response Specialist at the West Hartford Bloomfield Health District, where she has been instrumental in various COVID-19 response initiatives alongside the West Hartford Fire Department and Office of Emergency Management.

Her contributions included setting up vaccination clinics, distributing personal protective equipment, and administering vaccinations to vulnerable populations.

West Hartford Fire Department Chief Greg Priest, the town's emergency management director, said "Melissa Marquis's appointment reinforces our commitment to enhancing community resilience. Her expertise will be invaluable in ensuring our readiness to address public health challenges effectively."

Aimee Krauss, director of the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, added, "The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District is thrilled to expand our partnership with the West Hartford Office of Emergency Management. This collaboration will better equip both agencies to respond to future events and ensure the safety of our community."