First responders, sheriffs, police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services are struggling to find needed safety equipment from official sources to protect themselves in the coronavirus crisis, but corporate America is coming to their rescue.
Stuck in line behind doctors, nurses, and utility workers for government-delivered “personal protective equipment” such as masks, gowns, and face shields, first responders have had to seek outside suppliers.
And their pleas have been “enthusiastically welcomed” by some top corporations, said National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director and CEO Jonathan Thompson. “What they are doing is more than impressive. It’s heartening,” he said.
The need is clear and potentially dire, he said. For example, the number of those with the virus in jails is surging, and police are also being hit with cases.
Some law enforcement forces are suffering staff shortages due to infections and fear of infections of up to 10%. “It’s hard to operate law enforcement organizations when you are down 10%,” said Thompson.
Safety first. Always.
Thank you to @EzyWrap for providing @WCSOFL & @WCFRFL with these masks to issue to our first responders during #COVID19.
They are made right here in DeFuniak Springs! ?? pic.twitter.com/iItGW49wv5
— Walton Co. Sheriff (@WCSOFL) March 27, 2020
Companies such as Home Depot, Staples, Grainger, and others have helped supply items that first responders, especially rural sheriffs departments, need, including N95 masks, disposable gowns, eye protection, and disinfecting products such as hand sanitizer.
Their local support parallels corporate help on the national level urged by President Trump, who featured several of their stories at his Monday coronavirus task force briefing at the White House.
Thompson noted that Home Depot stores around the country have taken items such as face masks found in their stores and warehouses and given them to first responders.
Huge shout-out to The Home Depot for donating cleaning supplies and wipes to the Sheriff’s Office. Gratitude and thanks to Meijer for their donation of wipes and to Lowe’s Home Improvement for their support as well. We could not appreciate it more! pic.twitter.com/tyrezYfpA3
— Mike Bouchard (@MikeJBouchard) March 25, 2020
“Home Depot is doing some really impressive things,” he said. Several sheriffs, firefighters, and EMS outposts around the country have tweeted pictures of the Home Depot transfers.
Other companies, such as Staples, are making sure that their logistics units prioritize shipments to first responders.
And a half-dozen or more restaurants have helped too. The National Sheriffs’ Association said, “Deputies and staff are working long hours, running directly into harm’s way to assist vulnerable citizens. Gift cards for locally owned restaurants and larger companies that support law enforcement such as Dairy Queen, Firehouse Subs, Krispy Kreme, Mission BBQ, Wendy’s, and Whataburger, are a great way to help out and show appreciation.”
But more is needed, and groups like the National Sheriffs’ Association are setting up corporate partnerships to help.
At the same time, Thompson is working with the administration and state and local authorities to push first responders to near the front of the line for PPE provided by the government. Currently, first responders are considered “third tier” behind doctors and medical workers, the “first tier,” and utility workers, the “second tier.”
