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Environmental Health Services - Main
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The Environmental Health Services Department is located on the first floor of the Health Department's east wing. The department plays an integral part in promoting a more healthy community in the Chattanooga-Hamilton County area. Programs under departmental regulation include groundwater protection, rabies control, mosquito and vector control, and food & general sanitation.
The department is involved in emergency preparedness and planning for the Health Department. We also provide educational information to the public about various environmental issues such pollution and hazardous chemicals.
Ms. Bonnie Deakins, Director
Principal Secretary to Ms. Deakins is Beth McDonald.
Contact Us:
Main line: 209-8110
Mosquito line: 209-8117 |
*Groundwater Protection (209-7782)
Groundwater Protection is led by Gary Pickett, Program Manager. Jennifer Tracy and Barbara Breedwell are Secretaries for the program. The Groundwater office is on the 1st floor of the Development Resource Center on 1250 Market Street. Field work is done by environmentalists Bob Stott, Leah Sergeant, Kara Wendholt, and Walter Johnson. Field work includes lot reviews, complaint inspections, septic tank permitting, and final inspection on septic tank installation. For more information, click here.
*Food & General Sanitation (209-8110)
The Program Manager for Food & General Sanitation is Lowe Wilkins. Johnnie McElvain is the Secretary for the Food Program. Environmentalists who conduct inspections for the Food Program are Mike Brown, Jack Falcon, Harold Graham, Elizabeth McDaniel, Josh Eller, and Lowe Wilkins. Inspections are conducted on food establishments, hotels/motels, public swimming pools, day cares, day camps, and tattoo establishments. General sanitation complaints (garbage, open dumps, high grass) are investigated by inspectors in this program: Michelle Turner, Gene Remson, and Jeff Brown. If necessary, the inspector sends a notice to the owner or consults with the owner to abate the problem. Any severe health or safety hazards that are not addressed by the owner will be referred to the Health and Safety Hearing Board. For more information about Food and Sanitation, click here.
*Mosquito and Vector Program (209-8110)
Mosquitoes: The Program Manager for the Mosquito Program is David Hunter, and Melissa Gannon is the Secretary. Jeff Brown is an environmentalist working with the program. During mosquito season, environmental technicians conduct larviciding and fogging operations. The mosquito abatement program usually begins in April or May and runs through October. To kill mosquito larvae, larvicides are applied to breeding habitats (standing water). When weather permits, fogging is done to kill adult mosquitoes when mosquito populations become a nuisance or pose a health risk. Surveillance for West Nile Virus transmitted by mosquitoes is conducted through dead bird surveillance and mosquito trapping. Rodents: Rat bait can be picked up in the Environmental Health Office (1 per household per month) to rid property of rats. For more information about mosquitoes and rodent control, click here.
*Rabies Program (209-8110)
The Program Manager for the Rabies Program is David Hunter, and Melissa Gannon is the secretary. Jeff Brown and Eugene Remson are Environmentalist's working with the program. The Health Department has the responsibility of rabies control in Hamilton County. Any animal bites (domestic animals or wildlife) should be reported to the Environmental Health Office as soon as possible. Local emergency rooms and physician’s offices should send bite reports via fax or by calling the office. For more information about the rabies program, click here.
*Air Quality and Chemical Hazards
The Health Department provides information to the public about indoor and outdoor air pollution problems such as mold, radon, ozone, and particulates. The office also provides information about hazardous chemicals. For information, contact Dawn Ford at 209-8073. |
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