City issues plea for personal protective equipment donations

KNOXVILLE - Families, businesses, and community organizations that have professional-grade Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in storage that is not needed in the short term are asked to donate it to front-line first responders to combat the spread of COVID-19, Mayor Indya Kincannon announced today.

A City- and volunteer-staffed collection drop-off point will be open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, April 3, and 9 a.m.-Noon on Saturday, April 4, at the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park. People are encouraged to donate N95 respirators, surgical masks, non-latex gloves, hand sanitizers, cleaning wipes and other supplies needed by local hospitals, firefighters and police officers.

Donations of PPE will continue at Chilhowee Park on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (9 a.m.-3 p.m.) and on Saturdays (9 a.m.-Noon) throughout April.

Kincannon has said that the City Police and Fire departments have an adequate volume of PPE for the time being, but more supplies will quickly be needed as the number of people sickened by COVID-19 climbs in coming weeks.

“Knoxville joins other cities and counties nationwide as we’re all bracing for the worsening pandemic and the strain on resources for our care providers and emergency personnel,” Kincannon said. “Preparation now is critical. I ask anyone who can to help those who are helping others by donating PPE.”

Other commercial-grade medical supplies being collected include gowns, face shields, goggles, thermometers and Tyvek suits. The City will not be collecting non-PPE items, such as water, food or clothing.

Volunteer East Tennessee and other entities will be providing volunteers to staff the collection, and City police officers, firefighters and other City staff will assist as their schedules allow.

A tent will be set up to accommodate curbside drop-off outside the Jacob Building. Donors will be asked to place items on tables to ensure social distancing during the collection process. Items will be sanitized, inventoried and moved to an off-site secure location for storage.

Statewide, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is also collecting commercially-manufactured and approved PPE. In Knoxville, the National Guard Armory on Sutherland Avenue is a TEMA drop-off location. Donated items there can be designated to stay locally.

For details on the TEMA collection, please visit bit.ly/33OQI0i. TEMA and the Knox County Health Department are working to supply hospitals, public health providers, and EMS/first responders with PPE.

Local needs and the community’s response are rapidly changing. Visit www.knoxvilletn.gov/COVID19 for updates and resources.

Published March 29, 2020