State to Distribute PPE to All Emergency Responders in Massachusetts

BOSTON — The Baker-Polito administration announced the distribution of approximately 200,000 respirator masks for all local law-enforcement officers and firefighters to ensure they have protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis.

These FDA-approved respirator masks are being distributed to all local law-enforcement officers, including sheriffs, college and university police, and firefighters, through a coordinated effort by the COVID-19 Response Command Center and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Emergency medical service (EMS) providers are continuing to receive these types of masks and other PPE.

To facilitate quick distribution of these masks, MEMA is employing a regional point-of-distribution (POD) model where communities can pick up their supply of masks at their designated MEMA POD. This new distribution will ensure that local law enforcement and firefighters will have five respirator masks each, equivalent to a one month’s supply. Including conservation methods currently being used by some organizations, this will provide each individual a mask per week and a spare, allowing the mask to dry overnight and reuse for up to one week.

The Baker-Polito administration and its COVID-19 Response Command Center continue to prioritize the procurement and distribution of personal protective equipment for frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of late last week, the Commonwealth has delivered more than 4 million pieces of PPE statewide.