ABC News

Facilities staff find 50-year-old 'treasure' hidden in hospital basement

Green Bay hospital finds Geiger counters and radiation detection kits, dated 1962

By Healthcare Facilities Today


Christmas came early this year for officials at Green Bay's St. Vincent Hospital, according to a story on the WBAY.com website.

Tucked away in the basement, they unearthed a treasure dating back some 50 years. Twelve boxes, never opened, full of Geiger counters and radiation detection kits, shipped from the Office of Civil Defense, dated 1962.

In the heart of the cold war, Americans had real fears a nuclear attack would become reality. The government spent 23 million dollars, a lot of money in the 1960s, preparing the nation. St. Vincent Hospital was no exception, the article said.

"Hospitals are obligated to care for their patients, their welfare, their safety, and that includes safety from terrorist events, and in 1962, from possible nuclear detonations, so that's what we did,"  Steve Pelch, St. Vincent Hospital's Director of Safety and Security, said in the article.

"They're all actually pristine condition. They're still in their original packaging with absorbent materials, and they've never been touched or put into use," said Pelch in the articles.

Read the article.

 



December 16, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Fire Protection in Healthcare: Why Active and Passive Systems Must Work as One

Sprinklers, smoke compartments and firestopping can form an interdependent safety strategy.


Cleveland Clinic Hits Key Milestones for Palm Beach County Expansion

These include plans to begin demolition of current structure and hospital site preparation in 2026 and open the outpatient center and ambulatory surgery center in 2027.


Emanuel Medical Center Caught Up in Data Breach

The breach occurred in May 2025.


Assisted Living Facility Violated Safety Standards: OSHA

Fire at Gabriel House killed 10 residents died and injured and displaced dozens of others.


McCarthy Completes Construction of Citizens Health Hospital in Kansas

The facility is among the nation’s largest hospitals funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Critical Access Hospital program.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.