Red Oak – Businesses and organizations are urged to donate personal protective equipment, or PPE, by contacting your local public health agency and the county emergency management agency. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) is encouraging Iowa businesses and organizations to donate extra personal protective equipment to assist health care providers, healthcare facilities and first responders who are actively responding to COVID-19.

Ken Sharp, division director of Acute Disease Prevention, Emergency Response and Environmental Health “This is an unprecedented public health disaster and stocks of personal protective equipment for health care providers and first responders are being used rapidly. Any organizations that have extra PPE supplies that aren’t immediately needed should consider donating them to help those on the front lines of this disease.”

Any type of health care PPE will be welcomed, especially rubber gloves, gowns, eye protection and masks. Montgomery County Public Health and Montgomery County Emergency Management officials are working to address needs locally and beyond.

Brian Hamman, Montgomery County Emergency Management Director, says “This is a worldwide pandemic, any and all donated supplies are extremely welcomed and will be distributed to our local health care facilities and local first responders to continue to respond to the active COVID-19 threat.”

To donate PPE, please contact Montgomery County Public Health or Montgomery County Emergency Management.