Submitted by Peter DeTerra, Fairhaven Board of Health candidate for re-election
Can you believe it’s already been 3 years and it’s time for me, Peter DeTerra to announce that I’m running for re-election to the Fairhaven Board of Health.
The world as we knew it has completely changed in the last several years. Public Health has come to the forefront of our lives. This has brought awareness to the need to have effective experienced leadership on the board of health.
Having been a member of the Fairhaven Board of Health for the past 18 years I have engaged in training and certifications related to serving the public health needs of Fairhaven. Being properly educated in public health related issues gives me the ability to work with the board and department personnel to properly serve the residents of Fairhaven.
Many think the Board of Health is responsible for personal health care. Personal health care is the responsibility of Doctors, Nurses and EMS professionals not the daily operations of the Board of Health. My understanding of the functions and operations of the Board of Health is what makes me the right person to continue to represent you on the Fairhaven Board of Health.
So what does The Board of Health do? We set policies and make regulations to protect the public and environmental health. Under Massachusetts General Laws, Boards of Health are held responsible for disease prevention and control, health and environmental protection and promoting a healthy community.
Boards of Health serve as the local arm of both the Mass. Department of Public Health and the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection. To fulfill our duties, we develop, implement and enforce health policies, oversee inspections to maintain minimum standards for sanitation in housing and food service, and assure that the health needs of our community are being met.
My education and training consist of Title V Inspector, Soil Evaluator, OSHA Certified, NIMS 700, National Certified Food Manager and other certifications and classes related to public health.
I am currently the only board member certified to do soil evaluation, restaurant inspections and septic inspections. In the absence of the Health Agent I’m the only member of the board certified to do these inspections. This provides seamless services to our town residents and businesses.
If re-elected to the Fairhaven Board of Health I will continue to work with the board and the Health Agent to protect the public health of Fairhaven. I will continue to listen to and work with the residents of Fairhaven. I will use my training and experience on the Board of Health to do what is needed to keep Fairhaven a safe and healthy town to live in.
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