By focusing on spreading kindness and by city staffers pivoting from their normal roles, Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney reflects on a myriad of extra efforts all Frisco employees and council members recently put forth to address an usually brutal winter storm as well as launch the delivery of COVID-19 vaccinations in the same month.
The first doses of coronavirus vaccinations were administered on Feb. 2.
The 'Vaccine Hub' established by city staffers at Stonebriar Centre required at least 75 city employees to operate. The mayor says eight firefighters handled a pharmacy area for preparing shots, and 24 firefighters operated 12 vaccine stations. He adds that remaining city employees worked the Hub to cover associated administrative check-ins/check-outs; technology requirements; communications; security; and traffic.
Through the successful Hub effort, more than 7,800 doses were administered in four days.
Jeff says between Feb. 23-26, second doses were underway. "Hats off to the staff's efficiencies. By that point, everyone was served within 20 to 30 minutes, from door to door," he adds.
Online comments indicated many residents also appreciated how well the Hub was handled, with some gratefully awarding the effort with five out of a five-star quality scale.
But, then a natural dilemma hit. Frisco water pipes bursting, water sources gushing and ceilings collapsing during an unusually cold winter storm in February led to understandably upset, distressed folks. Again, Jeff and all city representatives sprang into action by activating the city's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) on Feb. 14.
Representatives from Frisco's fire, police, public works, emergency management, public information, communications, information technology, library and city logistics were available to residents' needs 24/7. By Feb. 17, 33 staff members were working the EOC; the center returned to its normal level on Feb. 20.
“If you called, we came," says Frisco City Council Member John Keating, who joined staffers to answer calls from residents at the center.
Jeff says that between Feb. 12-23, the Frisco Team handled a total of 2,298 calls for city works and 911 services. Details were:
- The Fire department between Feb. 14-20 received 1,668 calls, with an average calls per day amounting to 238.29. For the whole month of February, the fire department logged 2,571 calls, averaging 107.13 calls per day.
- Police officers received 1,992 calls during Jan. 31-Feb. 6; 1721 calls during Feb. 2-7; and 1,536 calls during Feb. 14-20.
The city’s dispatchers answered more than 8,500 storm-related calls.
"We're super proud of how the entire Frisco Team worked together to keep residents safe," Jeff affirms.
Frisco City Council Member: 2007-2016
Elected mayor 2017
972.292.5050 | jcheney@friscotexas.gov