SWFL company helping make protective supplies for first responders, healthcare workers

Reporter: Taylor Petras
Published: Updated:
(Arthrex)

A major Southwest Florida company is helping make supplies for first responders and healthcare workers to help protect them from COVID-19.

We spoke to North Collier Fire about getting this much-needed equipment.

The production line at Arthrex looks a little different these days. Its bread and butter is orthopedic devices, but now, “We are now manufacturing face shield and protection hoods for healthcare professionals,” says Dr. Christopher Adams. “We had lots of healthcare professionals coming to us very concerned about their safety. Not only their own safety, but the safety of their family members. More importantly, they wanted to be able to continue to take care of patients.”

“When you can’t find them, having those provided to us is just fantastic for our personnel,” said Assistant Chief of EMS and Training with North Collier Fire and Rescue District, Jorge Aguilera.

The company is also loaning a special machine so first responders can sterilize their personal protective equipment.

“I can tell you that the donating of or allowing us to use that machine is probably the most important thing to allow us to extend our usage,” Aguilera said, adding weeks onto a dwindling supply of masks and goggles.

(Arthrex)

“This whole process has been truly inspiring to see both the community at Arthrex and the community at large rallying together against the battle against COVID 19,” Adams said. “It’s not just the first responders and the nurse. We’re all in this as one.”

From the production line to the front line, the fight to beat COVID-19 continues on in Southwest Florida.

So far, Arthrex has made 300 face shields and 25 protective hoods. It hopes to make up to 500 face shields a day.

The company says it will continue to make them as long as there is a need.

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