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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tool Loan Program aids in clean-up efforts

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April kicks off the Great Indy Cleanup. Coordinated by Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the anti-litter event begins April 9, continuing each Saturday in April. This is the first year one section of the county will be targeted each week.

The Marion County Public Health Department will play a major role in the clean-up effort. Employees will work each weekend to aid in the beautification program.

During the past 35 years, the Marion County Public Health Department’s Rodent Control Tool Loan Program has helped support hundreds of community clean-up efforts, including the Great Indy Cleanup.

“We want to support the community, any individuals, families or large groups interested in making the county a nicer, cleaner place to live,” said Jack Clarke, environmental health specialist.

Tools are loaned free of charge and the health department will even deliver the tools to the clean-up location.

Neighborhood associations, community groups, churches and individuals are among those who regularly use the program.

Heavy duty rakes, long-handled shovels, short-handled shovels, weed cutters, brooms, wheelbarrows, trowels and free garbage bags are among the inventory of available resources.

Demand for supplies has caused the health department to purchase additional tools to meet community needs.

Individuals or groups interested in the tool loan program can reserve equipment (at least two weeks in advance) by calling (317) 221-7588.

For more information about the Great Indy Cleanup, contact www.kibi.org/great_indy_cleanup or call (317) 264-7555.

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Cleaning community nothing new to health department crews

Crews working for the Marion County Public Health Department’s Environmental Health, Safety and Management (EHSM) program have collected more than 90 million pounds of trash since 2006. In this same period, the health department has cleaned more than 18,000 properties.

Cleaning properties is a 12-month commitment for the health department. “You name it and we have likely experienced it at one time or another,” said EHSM’s administrator Kip Mibey. “We often have to interact with not so happy property owners, but at the same time we are well received by neighbors who are happy to see us helping make their neighborhood a healthier and safer place.”

Five crews of eight have the responsibility of cleaning up when no one else will. A seasonal staff of between 10-12 workers assists the full time crew. An administrator and four additional staff interact with the public and ensure work is done in an efficient manner.

Natural disasters like tornadoes, floods and ice storms often leave damage the health department assists in cleaning up.

“Many times we do not know the extent of the work until we get there,” said Mibey. “And although we’re accomplishing cleaning more properties than ever before, we are still overwhelmed by the numbers coming in,” said Mibey.

In order to meet this demand, the health department is continually re-investing in its fleet of vehicles and support equipment. Maintenance staff continually works on the equipment to make sure it is ready for the heavy usage.

“I am very proud of the work we do. We know a clean community is a healthy community,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director, Marion County Public Health Department.

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