The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) is distributing surplus personal protective equipment (PPE) to an expanded group of non-health-care organizations across Alberta.

In addition to the surplus of PPE that healthcare agencies in Alberta have for the ongoing management of COVID-19, the AEMA is continuing to maintain a 60-day stockpile of PPE for future public health emergencies. Extra supplies of hand sanitizer, medical and non-medical masks and disinfectant solutions are now available to non-health-care organizations such as daycares, day homes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private home care and foodservice providers, at no cost.

“Alberta’s government is committed to public safety. We have extra stores of PPE and we do not want to see them wasted, so we are sharing them with Alberta businesses and non-profit groups to support their operations. This is one more thing we can do to help Albertans protect themselves and their families as we continue to respond to COVID-19," said Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Distributing surplus PPE to an expanded group will minimize waste, reduce storage costs and support safety for vulnerable Albertans. Non-health-care organizations can request PPE from the AEMA through an online form. Priority organizations, such as continuing care facilities, pharmacists, police agencies, fire departments and Emergency Medical Services, will continue receiving PPE from the AEMA.

Alberta will also trade surplus PPE with other provinces and territories, following previously established processes. The following non-health-care organizations will receive PPE from the AEMA at no cost:

  • Daycares and day homes
  • Foodservice providers, meat-packing service providers, food banks, trucking companies, NGOs, oil and gas services
  • General municipal groups including Metis Settlements and First Nations
  • Private home care providers that are not publicly funded directly or through contracts
  • Privately owned health service providers, physiotherapy clinics, primary care physicians, optometry clinics and diagnostic imaging clinics will also receive PPE from the AEMA at no cost.

The AEMA has been distributing PPE supplies to priority organizations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The AEMA stockpile of PPE for future public health emergencies includes commercial and medical disinfectant solution and wipes, nitrile gloves, disposable gowns, hand sanitizer and disposable masks.

Information provided by DiscoverAirdrie