By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Despite efforts to conserve face masks and gloves, some local fire and EMS departments are already running low on the supplies that stand between them and patients potentially sick with COVID-19.
During a conference call for local elected officials this morning, Doug Kale from Liberty Township said masks are running low for that area’s fire and EMS crews.
“We only have a few right now,” Kale said.
Wood County Health Commissioner Ben Batey suggested that local departments stop discarding face masks after each run.
“We may get to a point where you’re reusing,” after sterilizing the masks, Batey said.
Wood County officials have a dwindling stockpile of personal protective equipment, including face masks, gloves and gowns.
The Wood County Health Department recently received one pallet of the equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile. But that won’t last long.
“That’s not a lot for us to work with,” Batey said during the conference call Tuesday with county, municipal and township officials.
“What we’re able to get to you with our limited supply may be all you’re going to get for a while,” he said.
As of Tuesday, Bowling Green Fire Division was keeping an eye on its PPE supplies.
“Right now we’ve got a reasonable supply,” Fire Chief Bill Moorman said. “We don’t have an unlimited supply, which I wish we did.”
Moorman agreed it may get to the point that fire and EMS crews have to reuse masks.
“We’re going to do everything we can to preserve our supply,” he said.
The fire division will follow guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control, the health department, and its medical director, Moorman said.
Reusing masks will depend on the type of patient exposure during a run. The guidelines require that the masks be put on and taken off in a certain manner, and restrict the number of times a mask can be used to five.
If there are any questions about the safety of reusing masks, they will be discarded.
“If in doubt, throw it out,” Moorman said.
The Bowling Green Fire Division has also been working on contingency plans to handle increased call loads.
“We’re making plans,” the chief said. “We’re making smart choices now that can help us in the future.”
Many people and organizations are stepping up with PPE supplies, Wood County Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Klein said. He mentioned Penta Career Center and Perrysburg Schools as two sources of supplies.
Klein asked that people send those medical supplies to the Wood County EMA office, which acts as a clearing house for those who need it most.
A couple local industries have offered to shift their production lines to make face masks and hand sanitizer, according to Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher. Some businesses have also approached the health department about helping, Batey said. It may take some work creating a template, but efforts will be made to get that rolling.
“Let’s take any help we can get right now,” Batey said.
Some nursing homes in the area are also struggling to stay stocked with personal protective equipment. BG Manor/BG Care Center is preparing consistent protocols for the use of non-traditional PPE supplies, such as homemade masks, should they be needed.
Anyone having medical supplies can call the EMA office at 419-354-9269, or email woodcountyema@co.wood.oh.us. Staff from the office will pick up the supplies, Klein said.
