PPE Shortage in Stewartville

After nearly 3 weeks without first response services in Stewartville and surrounding townships due to a personal protective equipment shortage, the Stewartville fire department is back to full service.

In stewartville and surrounding townships due to a personal protective equipment shortage - the stewartville fire department is back to full service.

Kimt news 3's annalise johnson shows us how the department is ready to safely serve its citizens.

On the scene ppe-llmpkg-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:stewartville first response back in service stewartville, mn as of this morning - if you have a medical crisis - the stewartville fire department is once again ready to help you.

On april first - stewartville fire department stopped responding to calls that were not fires or crashes because it did not have enough equipment to protect staff.

Mayo clinic ambulance covers the service area - and the fire fighters were ready as back up just in case.

Now - no matter the call - the department is ready.

Lowerthird2line coronavirus:chief vance swisher stewartville fire department "obviously this time put quite a bit of stress on our staff.

They're here, they're volunteers, she really want to serve the community.

During these 3 weeks when they heard the ambulance couldn't be in town, knowing they weren't serving their fellow citizens, really kind of bothered a lot of us."

Ppe-llmpkg-3 now each firefighter has their own bag of personal protective equipment to take on calls.

This is chief swisher's.

What's interesting is many of the manufacturers are actually adapting to the pandemic and making some gear that is able to be safely washed and reused.

Ppe-llmpkg-5 minnesota manufacturers filled stewartville's orders for more gear - and several local businesses and fellow emergency response services stepped up to donate gear such as masks - hand sanitizer - face shields - and gowns.

If you have an emergency - the stewartville firefighters may look a little different when they arrive - but the gear is to protect them and you.

In stewartville annalise johnson kimt news 3.

The fire department now has about 3-4 months supply of personal protective equipment and is confident it will be able to get more in the future if necessary.

Mayor update-vo-4 now that the fire department has p-p-e - stewartville's city administrator bill schimmel says they don't have any other urgent needs besides simply waiting for the state to open up again.

Mayor update-vo-1 lowerthird2line coronavirus:navigating the pandemic stewartville, mn many local businesses are functioning as much as they can - or are closed entirely to wait out the stay at home order.

The e-d-a is working on ways to assist businesses.

The public library recently opened back up for curbside services.

Schimmel says overall - the community has practiced social distancing well.

Mayor update-sot-1 thank all our citizens for trying to go along and abide by the guidelines that are out there, and continue to make our community safe and healthy stewartville's chamber of commerce is still planning summer events - including summer fest in july.

It's possible festivities could be adapted - or even cancelled - but the city is waiting to see how other communities handle summer events.

Delivery service-stinger-5 the stores may be quiet and the streets less