A recently burst water line had no effect on patient care at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay (USNH GB) due to quick response and community effort, according to hospital representatives. 

While on routine patrol, two local military police officers detected a water leak near the hospital.  At the same time, Gregory Rizzi, facilities manager, USNH GB drove by, noticing the leak as well. 

The security patrol notified base leadership as Rizzi alerted his staff and determined the hospital would lose water as a result of the break. A code yellow, or utilities failure announcement was made, prompting members from several organizations across the base to immediately come together.

Kevin Robarge, emergency manager for USNH GB, along with the command duty officer and staff from the galley, operations management department and others collected and delivered potable water for patients to use and to several outlying buildings. 

“We have backup systems in place for situations like this, and that’s what you are seeing take place here,” Robarge said. 

Non-potable water was also needed for sanitation and flushing. The fire department responded to this need by providing assistance in filling high-capacity water tanks, known as buffalos.

Meanwhile, representatives from Vetrus, a local contracting company, Naval Facilities Engineering Command and the hospital were on scene facilitating repair of the water line break.

According to Rizzi, the repair was complete and water lines were flushed in less than five hours.  He explained a 24-hour boil period was implemented as a safety precaution, but there was no adverse effect on patient care.

“Because of our robust emergency response plans, ongoing training and the great relationship we have with community organizations, the capability to continue providing outstanding patient care was never compromised,” Robarge said. 

U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay embraces providing world-class care by maintaining a reputation for sustaining one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any military treatment facility in the Navy. The patient population of about 6,000 includes military family members, government civilian employees and their families, special category residents, contractors, foreign nationals and migrants.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy Facebook or Twitter.

For more news from Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/local/nhgitmo/.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, visit www.navy.mil/.