How Can My Company Acquire PPE & Testing for Essential Personnel?
Energy sector companies are monitoring the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for essential workers. Currently the first priority is to ensure PPE is available to healthcare workers and first responders. CESER and the ESF#12 team will continue to highlight the PPE needs for energy critical infrastructure personnel. CESER is coordinating with the DHS Emergency Support Function #14 and the FEMA Supply Chain Stabilization Task Force to identify a path forward to address the energy sectors PPE needs once the Public Health PPE supply chain begins to stabilize. In addition to this effort the FEMA National Resource Prioritization Cell (NRPC) at the NRCC recently stood up to support supply chain efforts regarding distribution of PPE to healthcare workers and first responders. FEMA is expediting movement of critical supplies including PPE from the global market to medical distributors in various locations across the U.S.
In the jurisdictions in which they operate, energy sector companies can connect with local or state energy officials and emergency operations centers to identify prioritization of any future needs for PPE, testing, or other unmet needs. CDC has issued guidance for who should be tested, but decisions about testing are at the discretion of state and local health departments and/or individual clinicians. CESER is working with multiple FEMA task forces and federal, industry and state partners to identify new testing options and best practices as they become available.
Energy industry suppliers and infrastructure operators are identifying “essential” and "mission essential" employees for prioritized COVID-19 testing. More information regarding prioritized testing requests can be found in this industry letter to national organizations representing state and local government leaders. The Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council also updated Testing and Protecting Mission Essential Control Center and Generation Facility Personnel.
Pandemic Takes Toll on Mental Health
Social distancing, intensive cleaning regimens and the stress of working in customer-facing jobs is taking a toll on the mental health of employees worldwide during the coronavirus pandemic.
