CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

Shadle

RESOLUTION 06-93

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF A HYPERBARIC CHAMBER BEING LOCATED IN HOMER AND REQUESTING ASSISTANCE FROM ALASKA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION

WHEREAS, The City of Homer and the greater Homer area continues to attract new residents from the ages of fifty and up; and

WHEREAS, Many of the current Homer residents have been here since the 50s and 60s; and

WHEREAS, The Homer area residents could benefit from a Hyperbaric Medicine and/or therapy; and

WHEREAS, The closest Hyperbaric unit is located in Kenai; and

WHEREAS, The South Peninsula Hospital staff has stated that there is not adequate space for a Hyperbaric unit, at this time, within the hospital facilities, the hospital Executive Staff has expressed a desire for a unit in the past and is supportive of a unit being located in Homer; and

WHEREAS, The South Peninsula Hospital Executive Director has expressed his interest and desire to take this matter before the South Peninsula Hospital Board; and

WHEREAS, The Homer Fishing Fleet has, on occasion, whether in Soviet or US waters had the need for a Hyperbaric Medicine treatment; and

WHEREAS, The use of increased atmosphere pressure for medical therapy has intrigued many physicians, scientists, and lay persons for hundreds of years; and

WHEREAS, Hyperbaric medicine and/or Hyperbaric therapy has proven to promote wound healing and to be effective in the care of many types of illnesses and injuries throughout the century such as:

1. The Bends, decompression sickness - associated with deep sea diving.

2. Burns, bacterial infections and the like

3. Diabetic related conditions such as the poor healing effects of this disease particularly with foot wounds

4. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

5. Cerebral vascular accident and/or injury such as stroke, cerebral arterial gas embolus, etc.

6. Osteoradionecrosis

7. Clostridial gas gangrene

Page Two

Resolution 06-93

City of Homer

WHEREAS, A Monoplace Chamber costs about $125,000.00, requires little space and relatively minor facility renovations, modest program capitalization, treatment protocol specific to patient and/or condition, modest staffing requirements, no specific clothing required for patient, relatively mobile chamber for possible relocation, no risk of iatrogenic decompression sickness in patient or staff, add-on capability for ease of program expansion; and

WHEREAS, Kenai Physical Therapy (KPT) has indicated a desire to install a unit in Homer, KPT staff are ready and excited to gain the certification for the operation of a Hyper Baric Chamber and have expressed confidence in the assistance of federal funding from US Senator Stevens.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Council of Homer, Alaska is in support of a Hyper Baric Chamber being located in Homer and requests assistance from Alaska's Congressional Delegation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution shall be sent to Alaska's Congressional Delegation, South Peninsula Hospital and Kenai Physical Therapy.

PASSED AND APPROVED by the Homer City Council this 24th day of July, 2006.

CITY OF HOMER

JAMES C HORNADAY, MAYOR

ATTEST:

MARY L CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: NA.