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| Septic system installation |
I have been working as
a Public Health Sanitarian in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)
Division at the Clinton County Health Department for 18 years. My job requires
me to wear many hats as I work with a variety of “Permitted Facilities” and programs
that serve you, the public! Permitted Facilities and programs regulated by the
various NYS Sanitary Codes include:
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Food Service Establishments
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Public Water Systems
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Bathing Facilities, Pools &
Beaches
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Mobile Home Parks
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Campgrounds
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Children’s Camps
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Migrant Labor Camps
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Temporary Residences
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Tanning Facilities
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Agricultural Fairs
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Individual Sewer Treatment
Systems
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Rabies
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Nuisance Complaints
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My typical day is
anything but typical. I could be inspecting a permitted facility such as a restaurant,
campground, hotel or migrant labor camp; visiting a construction site to inspect
a septic system; working as the Duty Officer or investigating Bite Reports as
the Rabies Officer.
Duty
Officer…What is that?
There is always a Duty
Officer answering phone calls related to the programs regulated by EHS or to connect
the public with resources on issues not under our jurisdiction. If you aren’t
answering phone calls as the Duty Officer you are reviewing septic system
applications,
talking with a walk-in individual about what is
required to open up a restaurant or taking in a complaint.
You never know what
kind of phone calls will be received on a Duty
Officer Day. They could be about a
suspicious acting raccoon, one
neighbor complaining about the lack of cleaning by another neighbor, a
suspected foodborne illness or even the aftermath of an unattended death. In
some cases, the calls may not be under the jurisdiction of EHS (for example,
mold in an apartment). In this case the Duty Officer would direct the caller
with someone who can help. In my 18 years, even if our Department cannot help,
in this day of automation, sometimes just listening and empathizing with the
caller is very much appreciated.
Rabies
Officer…That Sounds Dangerous!
All medical care
providers and law enforcement professionals are required to report all
animal bites to the Health Department. In
the Rabies Program the Sanitarian
works as the Rabies Officer, conducting the
follow up investigation. The concern, of course, is rabies.
Do you know what you should do if you are bitten by a pet, bat or other wildlife? Or how the Rabies Officer keeps
the public safe? Read our recent blog to find out!
A
Dirty Job
The Sanitarian’s role
in the Sewage Program
involves issuing construction permits, traveling to a construction site, inspecting
the septic system and (hopefully!) issuing a “Certificate of Acceptance” to the
home owner. In this day and age many banks require this certificate before providing
a home loan.
The
Infamous Inspector
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| Food service inspection at a local establishment. |
As 1 of the 5 Sanitarians
and 3 Public Health Technicians here at the Health Department, I have the responsibility
of inspecting a number of the 711 Permitted
Facilities. The facilities in Clinton County are inspected for compliance with the
County Code and the various NYS Sanitary Codes. As an inspector I prefer to teach compliance using
education as opposed to writing violations and taking enforcement action.
Public
Water Systems
In addition to the
routine inspection, many Permitted Facilities are also served by Public
Water Systems that are regulated by the EHS Division.
Sanitarians conduct annual inspections or “Sanitary Surveys”
at Public Water Systems. These surveys are documented in the Environmental
Protection Agency’s
(EPA) data base. Public Water Systems include:
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Community
Water Systems: Municipalities (cities, towns,
villages) and privately owned (Homeowners Associations, apartment complexes and
mobile home parks) and
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Non-Community
Water Systems: Transient
Non-Community Water Systems (rest stops, parks, convenience stores and
restaurants) and Non-Transient
Non-Community Water Systems (schools, colleges, hospitals and factories).
I could go on and on,
but this is a quick snap shot of what Sanitarians do here at the Health
Department. Although we are not always the most popular people in town, please
remember that Public Health Sanitarian’s are the foot soldiers promoting public
health by enforcing the Sanitary Code to keep YOU safe!
Richard Munn, Public
Health Sanitarian
Environmental Health
and Safety Division
North Country Native
