Gary Sinise Foundation Donates Decon Units to Texas Agency

The Gary Sinise Foundation has awarded funding to an east Texas fire and EMS service as part of its initiative to keep first responders safe in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Lumberton Fire & EMS, which serves Hardin County ESD #2, a fast-growing community of 30,000 that includes the city of Lumberton and surrounding unincorprated areas, received a grant for environmental decontamination units to be installed in the fire station and in the department’s ambulances.

“With the current COVID-19 event, these protective systems will greatly mitigate transmission dangers of this pathogen,” Jim Jones, assistant EMS chief at Lumberton Fire & EMS, tells EMS World. “In addition, these units will provide continual carcinogen and pathogen protection for our fire suppression and EMS personnel.”

The environmental decontamination devices were manufactured by NASA for use in the International Space Station and are registered as Class 2 FDA medical devices, Jones explains. They use HEPA filtration to remove airborne pathogens, mold, bacteria, viruses, and carcinogens in the buildings and ambulances without introducing ozone or carcinogens while allowing normal workflow patterns.

In early March, the Gary Sinise Foundation launched its First Responder Outreach program, which awards grants to first responders in need of PPE and gear when answering coronavirus-related service calls. The foundation is also offering financial assistance to first responders and their families who become personally affected by the disease through its relief and resiliency program called H.O.P.E.

“Part of our mission at the Gary Sinise Foundation is to serve and fiercely protect those who so courageously defend and protect our nation,” said retired Air Force Gen. Robin Rand, CEO of the Gary Sinise Foundation, in a news release announcing the grant program. “To that end, it is of the utmost importance to prioritize the health and safety of our nation’s defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, everyone who supports our noble mission, and the public at large. We are staunchly committed to standing with our first responders and those indispensable to the safety of our nation.”

The mission of the Gary Sinise Foundation is to “Serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need” by “Creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities.”

The station has purchased the environmental units and is currently awaiting installation, explains Jones. In the meantime, the agency has outfitted one ambulance with plastic sheeting specifically for transport of suspected coronavirus patients and designated it COVID1 [pictured].

Jones explains that the health benefits provided by the decontamination units will extend well beyond the current crisis.

“While this certainly applies to the current COVID event, these units represent a commitment for pathogenic and carcinogenic protection for our personnel," Jones says. "HCESD #2/Lumberton Fire & EMS is committed to serving our community and protecting our personnel from the unique hazards our first responders face daily. We applaud the Gary Sinise Foundation for their commitment and dedication to our veterans, firefighters, police, and EMS personnel.”

Learn more about the Gary Sinise Foundation and its Project Hope initiative here.

Jonathan Bassett is editorial director at EMS World. Reach him at jon@emsworld.com