Senator McSally, Chairman Hickman grateful for much-needed PPE
(May 1, 2020) – Today, the Maricopa County Unified Command Center received a donation of 2,500 surgical gowns from AmSafe Manufacturing. Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman and Supervisor Steve Gallardo toured the manufacturing facility with Senator Martha McSally in Phoenix where the announcement was made.
VIDEO: SENATOR MCSALLY, BOARD MEMBERS TOUR AMSAFE
“Keeping our front line health care heroes properly protected and vulnerable Arizonans safe is critical to Arizona’s fight against the coronavirus. AmSafe is playing a key role in helping us do that,” McSally said. “I want to thank both AmSafe and Maricopa County Unified Command for their contributions to our community.”
AmSafe, a subsidiary of TransDigm Group Inc., is a worldwide provider of aviation seatbelts and airbags. The company was able to retool its production line to make washable surgical gowns from airbag material that AmSafe uses to produce airbags in their normal day-to-day operations.
“This is a generous donation and the start of a great partnership,” said Chairman Hickman. “Many businesses are innovating to meet community needs during this pandemic. When the Unified Command reached out, AmSafe stepped up to produce the gowns our long-term care facilities need right now. A big thank you to Senator McSally for helping us identify manufacturers like this who can get the job done.”
One of the main tasks for Maricopa County Public Health during this crisis has been to distribute personal protective equipment to health care workers and first responders, including masks, gloves, and surgical gowns. The equipment is critical to protecting those providing healthcare services to members of the community and performing critical testing. Proper use of PPE also greatly mitigates the spread of the disease to others.
“We are grateful for this opportunity to contribute to the fight against COVID-19 by supplying the health care workers of Maricopa County with much needed surgical gowns," said Herb Mardany, president, AmSafe.
The donation comes as Maricopa County’s supply of surgical gowns designated for long-term care facilities hit a critical low. The donation is valued at $65,000. They are also a long-term cost saver since they can be used up to 50 times each after washing and disinfecting.
All told, Maricopa County Unified Command has distributed more than half a million pieces of personal protective equipment and continues to identify local manufacturers who can meet the needs while the global supply chain catches up.
Companies able to produce PPE can reach Unified Command by emailing covid19vendor@maricopa.gov.
About AmSafe
AmSafe, a subsidiary of TransDigm Group Inc., is the world’s leading provider of safety restraint products for the aerospace and defense industries. Most well-known for its aviation passenger seatbelts, it is, in fact, the technology leader in the manufacturing of aviation airbag restraint systems. AmSafe is the first and only company to have a seatbelt airbag system installed worldwide on both commercial and general aviation aircraft.
Products are used in both commercial and general aviation, military and civilian applications. Protecting passengers is a priority to AmSafe and its products help move millions of people safely and securely in the air. With manufacturing operations and service facilities around the globe, AmSafe is focused and committed to providing quality products and timely, cost-effective solutions to customers worldwide.