On Monday, citizen-soldiers with the Oregon National Guard facilitated transportation and distribution of medical Personal Protective Equipment to all 36 counties, including 9 tribal nations, and 2 Tribal Health agencies in order to enhance needed supply inventories as part of the ongoing response to COVID-19.
The PPE was first delivered to a central storage warehouse in Wilsonville as part of a larger shipment from the federal government.
A release from the Oregon Office of Emergency Management said the Oregon Military Department and the Oregon National Guard have been assisting local communities throughout the state since Governor Kate Brown’s announcement to convene the Coronavirus Response Team. That team is tasked with coordinating state and local agencies and health authorities for overall response.
The release said approximately 200 members of the Oregon National Guard are on orders providing direct assistance throughout Oregon, which includes logistical, communications and other operational COVID-19 requested support.