San Mateo County officials have released the results of an investigation after a January story reported by KGO that detailed some $10 million worth of PPE equipment had been left out in the rain and subsequently ruined at the San Mateo County Event Center.
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The report, totaling 12 pages, contradicts KGO's previous reporting, stating the PPE equipment left out in the rain was worth $7.5 million, not $10 million, and that "98% of the safety equipment remains useable and undamaged, as most of the equipment was individually packed in sealed plastic wrapping inside the cardboard boxes," said the report. "Thus, the true loss of the equipment that could not be salvaged is approximately $128,000."
The equipment was originally stored at the Fiesta Hall at the Event Center, but in the fall of 2021 when things began opening back up, an event was scheduled for the space. By September 18, 2021, the equipment was placed outside without any type of covering or protection.
More essential PPE, like N-95 masks, were moved to a different hall, while the rest were left behind. The equipment was meant to be distributed to places in the county that might need them, like schools, but ultimately that did not happen.
When the rainstorms hit the next month, the equipment was still outside, exposed to the elements.
According to the report, the decision to do this "was made without a definitive plan and timeline of how and when the safety equipment would be ultimately distributed."
"There was not a contingency plan to move the safety equipment back into Fiesta Hall if its distribution was delayed into the rainy season," said the report. "No protections were put in place to prevent damage to the equipment and packaging after it was placed outside. The safety equipment was placed outdoors in a manner that minimized outdoor space usage and not in a manner that would make for efficient and speedy retrieval of requested items."
After the rainstorm, staff sent photos to county officials of the damage, and "stated that the safety equipment was now unusable due to heavy rains and unprecedented winds."
In November, county staff inspected the boxes and spotted potential mold forming, and were prepared to call the equipment a "total loss." But after contacting FEMA officials and being advised to conduct a formal assessment, the county had two contractors evaluate the condition of the equipment.
"It was reported that over 90% of the safety equipment was recoverable and no evidence of mold or other hazardous material was found, as the equipment was, for the most part, individually packaged in plastic," said the report.
The equipment was eventually moved back inside in January 2022 and repackaged, and last month was transferred into long-term storage.
After the report came out, KGO reported that the document lacked necessary evidence to provide adequate answers as to how this mistake happened in the first place.
The author of the report isn't "an expert in the emergency medical services field," the station reported, but "a recently retired school superintendent from the area."
There were other inconsistencies in the report compared to KGO's reporting as well, including whether the type of equipment left in the rain was suitable for hospital use.
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