Suffolk’s first responders are reaching out to our community and local businesses for their assistance in donating unused Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to support them in their COVID-19 pandemic response.
While they have been especially creative in seeking ways to increase their supplies, including working with the Suffolk Library to utilize their 3D printers to print face shield head bands, the need is becoming even more urgent as a shortage of PPE equipment exists across the entire nation.
Donations of any quantity of the following items are encouraged, preferably commercial-grade and in original packaging:
- N95 Masks – large, medium, universal
- Nitrile Exam Gloves – XL, large, medium, small
- Eye protection (safety glasses and goggles)
- Surgical masks with or without Fluid Shield Protection / Face Shields
- Protective Surgical Gowns
- Hand Sanitizer (unopened, gel and wipes)
Donations will be shared between Suffolk Fire & Rescue and Suffolk Police, and may be dropped off by appointment only at Suffolk Fire & Rescue Station 6, located at 300 Kings Fork Road, with the point of contact Captain Leon Ratliff, who can be reached by phone at 757.514.4544.
They would like to remind all citizens to heed Governor Northam’s executive orders and of the vital importance of social distancing in that it is probably the simplest, most effective thing people can do to help prevent transmission of COVID-19, other than washing your hands.
Their individual departmental mottos say it all, but bear repeating especially now, as they are certainly our “Hometown Heroes”, and, in a slight change of wording from “Our Family, Protecting Yours”, it is definitely, “Their Families, Protecting Ours”.