Milford Fire and Rescue asks public for donations of personal protective equipment
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MILFORD, Maine — Experiencing a shortage of their personal protective equipment stockpile, the Milford Fire and Rescue Department has turned to the public for help to protect first responders.
“We as first responders hate to even ask for your help as that is not in our nature. However, in these difficult times, we are relying on our community members to assist us so we can be there when you need us to be,” the department posted on its Facebook page Friday morning.
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The department specifically asked for donations of N95 masks — a highly coveted mask prioritized for those most at risk of contracting the coronavirus while at work, such as medical staff and other first responders.
“Pretty much every service is experiencing some shortage right now,” Milford Fire Capt. Joshua Mailman said. Not long after the department made the post, it received its first donation — a box of gloves from the local redemption center.
The urgent need for PPE has led communities and businesses around the state to start making supplies on their own for hospitals and other health care workers in need.
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Right now, Milford’s fire department has 22 N95 masks left. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that his team was preparing to deliver seven vans full of PPE around the state Friday morning.
The CDC’s plan, Shah said, is designed to “equip the least equipped,” by providing the majority of supplies to people on the front lines, such as those in hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Other healthcare workers like EMS providers, funeral homes and law enforcement personnel will also receive some PPE from the state. Shah added that the department is allocating PPE to places with the most vulnerable patients.
With the threat of running out of supplies approaching, the Milford Fire Department has sent in paperwork to get PPE from the state, but so far haven’t gotten notification that they will be given some soon, Mailman said.
The department operates on a paid on-call basis. “[PPE supplies] are vital to our first responders as they help keep us healthy and able to respond to each and every fire and medical call,” the post said.
People interested in donating should call the department at 207-827-6164.