Sgt. Jason Dunmire, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard provide traffic control for the COVID-19 testing site at Franklin County Fairgrounds in Frankfort Apr. 13, 2020. Those eligible for the COVID-19 test include persons with symptoms, health care workers, first responders, those 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Michael Reinersman)
Staff Report
FRANKFORT, Ky.
— Members of the Kentucky Army National Guard began providing logistical
support to local agencies at Kentucky’s first COVID-19 drive-thru test site at
the Franklin County Fairgrounds, starting April 13, 2020.
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Sixteen Soldiers from the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade are providing traffic management support. The Frankfort-based brigade is augmenting the Kentucky State Police, Department of Public Health, Franklin County Sherriff’s Department, the Frankfort Police Department, Kroger Health and other agencies.
Testing sites will be the primary location for the
administration of COVID-19 tests to be administered to Kentuckians.
First Lt. Corey Oney serves as a Blackhawk helicopter
pilot in the Kentucky Army National Guard. He is the Army officer in charge at
the Franklin County Fairgrounds testing site.
He explained the Kentucky National Guard’s role is to
provide traffic control and lane setup as they expect to direct 250 vehicles
per day.
Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard, help provide a traffic detail for the first COVID-19 testing site in Frankfort Apr. 2, 2020. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane) “There’s two things that come with our job. To protect
and to serve. We are doing the service part in this operation.”
Many Guardsmen are students or hold employment in their
local community. Oney serves as a pilot for regional carrier Mesa Airlines. He
flies fixed-wing aircraft out of Louisville International Airport.
“We are citizens when we’re not in the uniform. People
should know that we’re Kentuckians for Kentuckians.”
Although Kentucky Guardsmen will not have personal
contact with patrons at the testing sites, they have received extensive
training in the correct use of personal protective equipment. Oney and his team
recognize the danger of COVID-19 but affirm their resolve to reinforce local
governments and agencies.
“Everybody out here has the call of service. If you’re
doing that, you don’t have the time or thought to worry about yourself when
you’re worried about other people.”
The state intends to open multiple testing sites
throughout Kentucky. Guardsmen will
share their lessons learned as test sites around the state are launched. According
to Governor Andy Beshear, the overall goal is to conduct 20,000 tests over the
next five weeks.
“This will be a success as long as we are helping people.
People are scared right now. We can help them gain comfort by confirming that
they don’t have [COVID-19]. If we can confirm that they do have it then they can
get the help they need. There’s no more wondering,” said Oney. “This is the
first site that’s actually kicking off to give people hope, to show them that
there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
Those eligible for the COVID-19 test include persons with symptoms, health care workers, first responders, those 65 and older, and those with chronic health conditions. Kentuckians can register at www.thelittleclinic.com/drivethru-testing, or call 1-888-852-2567 (select option 1, then option 3). Citizens of the Commonwealth will get follow-on instructions as they meet the parameters for testing