MMTA PPE Order Update
April 9, 2020
After collecting responses from MMTA members as to their personal protective equipment needs, we submitted the following order to the Kennebec County Emergency Management Agency on April 2nd:
- N95 Masks: 15,000
- Nitrile Gloves: 19,000
- Disposable Shoe Covers: 4,000
- Sanitation Wipes (container): 5,500
We received a phone call shortly after submitting the order from KCEMA asking if we had “respirator plans” to receive masks and there was a general sense of negativity from the phone call. MMTA made it clear that it was our position that bureaucratic red tape should not impede our members receiving PPE when it is MMTA members who are keeping the supply chain going.
While the order was changed to delete the N95 masks due to the lack of respirator plans, these were replaced with an order for surgical masks that we were told would be much more likely to be available. As of today, however, we have not received any indication that we will receive any PPE from this order.
We will continue to work on this issue and keep members informed.