PPE, testing and vaccine supply resources during COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during COVID-19

As of April 2021, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts acknowledges the greater availability of PPE and return to conventional uses of PPE, including N95 respirators, masks, gowns, gloves, and eye protection. DPH and MEMA are able to continue to serve as a bridge when an entity has a critically low supply and while it increases ordering and receipt of PPE.  The Commonwealth is not able to supplant the normal supply chain for PPE.

Guidance

• DPH Guidance, May 5, 2023: Updated Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment
  • This guidance replaces Comprehensive Personal Protective Equipment guidance published on April 12, 2022; March 7, 2022; January 21, 2022; December 23, 2021; November 17, 2021; August 16, 2021; June 24, 2021; May 13, 2021; January 6, 2021; July 6, 2020; and May 21, 2020.
• Information regarding use of N95 and KN95 masks:
  • KN95 Respirator Test Results
  • DPH Guidance, April 24, 2020: FAQ Regarding Use of KN95 Respirators Available Through the Department of Public Health
  • MEMA Guidance, April 24, 2020: FAQ Regarding Use of KN95 Masks Available Through MEMA
• CDC Guidance: Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE)

Requesting PPE

Where do I go to make a PPE request?

If you anticipate a supply shortage within the next 5 days and are unable to source the material(s) through your normal supply chain, then you may request PPE in the following manner:

If you are a medical facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, community health center, private/non-fire-based EMS, local public health group, or otherwise providing clinical care:

• Fill out and download the PPE request form and submit it via email to your Regional HMCC.
• Regional HMCC contact info can be found on Learn about HMCC and below:
  • HMCC Region 1 Franklin Regional Council of Governments
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 2 City of Worcester
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 3 Metropolitan Area Planning Council
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 4ab Cambridge Health Alliance
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 4c Boston Public Health Commission 
    [phone] | [e-mail]
  • HMCC Region 5 MA Association of Health Boards 
    [phone] ID# 32432 | [e-mail]

If you are a local Police Department, Fire Department, joint Fire/EMS Department, county agencies (ex. Sheriff), state agency, or local municipality:

• Access the MEMA WebEOC make a request

I am having trouble placing my request. Who can I contact?

If you are a medical facility, nursing home, assisted living facility, community health center, private/ non-fire-based EMS, local public health group, or are otherwise providing clinical care and have questions about how to place a request, you can contact your HMCC regional representative as listed above.

If you are a local Police Department, Fire Department, joint Fire/EMS Department, county agency (ex. Sheriff), state agency, or local municipality:

• The local Emergency Management Director in each city and town has access to WebEOC to submit a request. If a community has questions or needs assistance, they should contact their regional MEMA office.
  • Region 1: [phone]
  • Region 2: [phone]
  • Region 3/4: [phone]

State agencies or county agencies (ex. Sheriff offices) with resource requests should contact the MEMA Emergency Operations Center at [phone] or email [e-mail].

I provide emergency medical services, do I request PPE through DPH or MEMA?

Either. Private/non-fire-based EMS generally will request PPE through DPH and Fire Departments with EMS included in their department will generally request through MEMA. A request will be processed regardless of where it is submitted.

DPH and MEMA are coordinating on requests. If an entity submits a request through both DPH and MEMA those requests will be merged.

If DPH cannot fill my request, should I submit a request through MEMA?

No. DPH and MEMA coordinate to fill requests for PPE. If a request is made through MEMA for a supply that they do not have on hand, they will coordinate with DPH to try to fill the request. Comparably, if a request is made through DPH for a supply that they do not have on hand, they will coordinate with MEMA to try to fill the request.

How will I know if my request is going to be filled?

• All requests will be acknowledged within 48 hours.
• Requestors will be asked if they have attempted to place an order through 1 or more of their procurement vendors. Some vendors are starting to deliver supplies.

Download

• Resource Request Form – OPEM213RR_03-23-20 (Fillable PDF) | Doc
• MA COVID-19 PPE Request Process Chart | PPT

COVID-19 testing supplies

For swab and medium testing supplies, Fill out and download the testing supplies request form and submit it via email to your Regional HMCC.

For additional information on testing and testing supplies, including BinaxNOW Rapid Antigen Tests please visit COVID19 Testing Guidance.

COVID-19 vaccine supplemental supplies

For questions regarding supplemental supplies that are available to support vaccination clinics, please email the DPH Resource Unit at [e-mail].

For additional information on COVID-19 Vaccine, visit Guidance for COVID-19 vaccine providers.