ARLINGTON — Armstrong Ambulance and the Massachusetts Ambulance Association is joining other private ambulance providers in the #DontForgetEMS campaign in an effort to gain access to personal protective equipment set aside by Amazon for healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon created a section of their website where hospitals are able to purchase personal protective equipment for their employees. However, private ambulance providers, who work directly with hospitals to treat patients, are unable to purchase the same equipment through the website at this time.
Supplies of personal protective equipment, such as masks, protective gowns and latex gloves, have become increasingly difficult for healthcare providers and first responders to obtain over the last few weeks as the virus has continued to spread.
First responders use the equipment to protect themselves from exposure to the virus as they respond to calls involving people who may be reporting symptoms in line with COVID-19 or may have been in contact with a positive COVID-19 case. As the virus continues to spread, the aim is to keep personnel healthy and allow them to continue to serve the community.
“All of us in the emergency medical field are working together to help those in need and keep our communities safe,” CEO Rich Raymond said. “Allowing private EMS systems like ours to access this equipment is a vital step to ensure and achieve that safety as we continue to respond regularly to emergency calls during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The #DontForgetEMS campaign is spearheaded by the American Ambulance Association, which represents and advocates for private ambulance providers across the nation.
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