The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has developed a reopening webpage, which includes vendor resources for procuring PPE. These vendors include state-contracted manufacturers that Massachusetts has historically purchased from who have pivoted to producing a range of supplies as part of the Manufacturing Emergency Response Team (M-ERT) process.
How is the Commonwealth determining which PPE requests to fill?
As outlined in the Department of Public Health’s reopening guidance, prior to resuming elective services health care providers must ensure that they have an adequate supply of PPE and other essential supplies for the expected number and type of procedures and services that will be performed. Health care providers cannot rely on the distribution of PPE from the Commonwealth’s emergency stockpile to meet this requirement.
Who can access DPH’s Emergency Stockpile for PPE?
The State’s emergency stockpile can serve as a short-term bridge to support emergency operations when an entity has a critically low supply and is only conducting emergency procedures. The Commonwealth is not able to supplant the normal supply chain for PPE. If the above criteria are met, DPH will provide a bridge of up to seven days’ worth of supplies to those facilities with less than five days remaining in stock.
Where to make a PPE request:
If you are a medical facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, community health center, private/non-fire-based EMS, local public health group, or otherwise providing clinical care:
- Fill out and download the PPE request form and submit it via email to your Regional Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC).
- Expected turnaround time for a reply once you contact your Regional HMCC is two hours.
- Regional HMCC contact info can be found on Learn about HMCC. They are available 24/7.
Additional Massachusetts Frontline Worker Resources: In an effort to connect frontline workers with various supports such as free/discounted meals, guidance on accessing PPE and priority testing, emergency child care, and alternate housing options, the Attorney General’s Office developed the Frontline Workers Resource website.
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) also features COVID-19 updates.