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First responders needing personal protective equipment
Although most people have gone home to self-isolate during the COVID-19 outbreak, first responders are still out there working to serve, help, and protect the community. Many of them are working with limited or without the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect their own safety.
Clay County Emergency Management Director Rob Gambill is working with many agencies and first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak that started early March.
“We need all PPE, but especially N95 masks, latex gloves, and goggles or face shields,” said Gambill, who helps get supplies for law enforcement, fire departments, ambulances. and emergency medical services and officials. “Right now, there are not enough masks for all responders to have one, and we have no replacements if they use them.”
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following PPE be available for first responders:
• N-95 or higher-level respirator or facemask (if a respirator is not available),
• Eye protection (i.e., goggles or disposable face shield that fully covers the front and sides of the face). Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are NOT considered adequate eye protection.
• Latex disposable examination gloves, and
• Isolation suits or gowns
Clay County Health Department’s Emergency Planning Coordinator Tom Champion is working with medical facilities, doctors’ offices, retirement, and residential living facilities (and, recently added to the list, funeral homes) to help ensure there are enough PPE supplies.
“The supply chain has slowed down due to the overwhelming demand across the board everywhere,” said Champion about the shortage of PPE gear. “We are placing orders to the Strategic National Stockpile, but what they could send arrived in an Indiana State Police car, and one officer could pack it in. That was 12 days ago.”
Champion explained at a recent POD Training exercise at Clay City High School by the health department (before the COVID-19 outbreak) “that communities will have to rely upon their own resources during an event like this.”
Mutual aid comes into play - when neighboring communities agree to provide volunteers and resources to each other - however, as Champion said then, “If it’s a big emergency, a community may be dealing with their own situations.”
The community is reaching out to help in many ways, including trying to help others with supplies.
“I can collect any donations the public wants to make and disperse them where they need to go,” said Gambill. “I can provide a receipt for donations if requested.”
Gambill can be reached by email at rgambill@claycountyin.gov or by calling his office phone, which is 812-448-8400.
“I get my calls forwarded when I’m not in the office,” said Gambill. “Any donations would be greatly appreciated.”
Champion can be reached by email at championt@claycountyin.gov or phone at the Clay County Health Department’s number - 812-446-9021.
“There are not enough masks for all responders to have one, and we have no replacements,” said Gambill. “Masks are only good for five days once used, so we’re in bad shape. The state doesn’t hasn’t been able to fill any of my requests, or Tom’s, for PPE.”