When the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent out a request, the Navy sprang into action. Currently, nine separate commands are helping to fulfill FEMA's request to protective face masks and shields that help prevent the transmission of the coronavirus.
“Our country is in a National Emergency so the Naval Research, Development and Acquisition community must engage accordingly. Effective and timely response to our communities must be prioritized to the extent the law permits,” said Assistant Secretary for the Navy Research, Development and Acquisition James F. Geurts in a memo that authorized the Navy to support FEMA's request.
To meet that request, the Navy's 3D printers churned out parts to manufacture some 300 initial face masks.
"When supply lines for a specific component are strained, a spool of 3-D printer filament can be the bracket for a face shield, a wrench, a valve or whatever else may be needed at that time,” said Scott Ziv who is an engineer in Naval Surface Warfare Center.
At 2nd Marines Logistics Group 1st Lt. Alexander Walls said, “Marines are trained to take action in times of crisis. While we can’t be on the front lines of this fight, Second Marine Logistics Group stands ready to provide continued support in any capacity we can to equip those in critical need of medical supplies."
Currently, requests for personal protective equipment are being handled by America Makes, a manufacturing institute that seeks to integrate commercial and government manufacturing capacity and distribution.
Their website specifically for requests regarding COVID-19 can be found here.
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Reach Jack Murphy: jack@connectingvets.com or @JackMurphyRGR.
