March 11, 2024
More than 300,000 pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) nearing expiration will soon be put to good use. Priority OnDemand, the parent company of Knoxville-based Priority Ambulance, is donating the PPE to numerous disaster and emergency preparedness volunteer programs across Middle and East Tennessee for use in training and exercises.
Helping to coordinate the donation is Volunteer Tennessee, the Governor’s commission on volunteerism and community service. The agency spearheads various programs vital for public welfare, education, emergency preparedness, environmental, and other human needs in the Volunteer State. With Priority OnDemand’s donation, critical programs such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), and Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) will receive essential supplies to enhance their preparedness efforts.
Bryan Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Priority OnDemand, emphasized the company’s commitment to community welfare, stating, “We are honored to partner with Volunteer Tennessee, contributing to our home state’s resilience during emergencies.”
The donated personal protective equipment is the result of Priority’s excess pandemic stockpile. Donated items include Biocell Ambulance Protection Systems, coveralls, face shields, gloves, gowns, hand sanitizer, and N95 masks.
Volunteer Tennessee’s Disaster Volunteer Services Manager, Don Sowers, expressed gratitude for the support, noting the critical role such donations play in bolstering volunteer-driven initiatives.
Mr. Sowers said, “On behalf of Volunteer Tennessee and local CERT, MRC, and DART programs we each greatly appreciate these generous donations from Priority OnDemand supporting Tennessee’s excellent volunteer programs.” He went on to say, “This donation of personal protective equipment was also facilitated by Brandon Ward, Director of the Tennessee Department of Health – Office of EMS. And the donated supplies will greatly assist our disaster volunteer programs conduct future training and exercises aiding our communities in being better prepared for real-life emergency scenarios.”
Volunteer Tennessee assists thirty-four locally sponsored Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs which provide training to community members about emergencies and disaster scenarios to prepare themselves, their families, and their neighbors. The Tennessee Department of Health coordinates the Medical Reserve Corps, or MRC, and has more than 17,000 volunteers across the state. These volunteers work together to prepare and respond to public health emergencies. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Disaster Animal Response Team (DART) leads programs essential to animal disaster preparedness and response.
Additional locally sponsored volunteer and non-profit organizations wishing to benefit should contact Don Sowers, Volunteer Tennessee Disaster Volunteer Services Manager, at don.sowers@tn.gov. Participating organizations will be able to pick up supplies from the Priority Ambulance East Tennessee warehouse at 910 Callahan Dr., Suite 101, Knoxville, TN 39912 on March 15th between 10 am-3 pm.