The San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation announced a donation by The JEM Project of 900 face shields that will help protect San Diego first responders and their patients against exposure to coronavirus during treatment and medical transport.
Now the two nonprofits are challenging their fellow San Diegans to step up to support first responders with donations of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable masks and gowns, as well as funds to purchase relief supplies and takeout meals for first responders while they’re on duty.
“With the nationwide shortage of PPE, the risk for exposure is significant, so we are very grateful to The JEM Project for donating this much-needed personal protective equipment,” said Wendy Robinson, executive director, San Diego Fire
Rescue Foundation. “We’re still short on masks and gowns, so we’re reaching out to San Diegans who have access to these items to step up and help keep our firefighters, paramedics and lifeguards safe.”
“We are pleased to support our community and our first responders in this crisis,” said Jessica Manning, president of The JEM Project, which purchased the shields from San Diego-based 3dyn Composites. “With this donation, we are not only providing protection to our first responders and the patients they treat, but we are also supporting a local small business. We hope others will actively engage to support our first responders during this pandemic.”
An increase in medical response calls during the pandemic has made it more difficult for on-duty first responders to make their meals during 24-hour shifts. The Fire Rescue Foundation is also seeking donations to purchase takeout meals from local restaurants for first responders — which will provide the added benefit of helping restaurants whose business has been limited to takeout orders.
For more information on how to support San Diego’s fire-rescue personnel, contact Wendy Robinson, executive director of San Diego Fire Rescue Foundation, at 619-410-4742. To learn how you can support the fundraising efforts of the Fire Rescue Foundation, please visit www.sdfirerescue.org.