With a donation of medical equipment by the Ottawa County Community Foundation, Paramedic Julie Caponi and Emergency Medical Technician Jodi Brown can be assured they will be outfitted on every call right now due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their patient, Mayor Mike Snider, is wearing a surgical face mask and a disposable sheet to protect him from contamination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in lives of first responders around Port Clinton, especially teams of medical and rescue personnel. The way they must perform everyday tasks has changed, and the need they have for special equipment to perform their important duties.

Port Clinton first responders have had to make many critical adjustments in responding to emergencies because they do not know who is infected and who is not. First responders now wear disposable gowns, GVS respirators, full face shields, safety glasses and nitrile gloves on every call. It is of the utmost importance that they are protected so they do not get sick and can continue to serve those in need.

To help ensure they’re well-equipped, the Port Clinton Firefighters Association recently received a $1,000 grant from the Ottawa County Community Foundation to help purchase much-needed surgical masks, gowns, CVS filters, and safety glasses.

Port Clinton Fire and Rescue crews serve the City of Port Clinton but also Bay, Portage, and Catawba Townships, averaging six 911 calls per day. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also caused large fund-raising events to be cancelled, creating another concern on how to cover increasing needs for personal protection equipment.

OCCF continues to offer emergency grants and has distributed over $14,000 to date. Donations of any amount are welcomed to help the non-profit group to continue to help those in Ottawa County impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. To support the OCCF, online donations can be made at www.ottawaccf.org.

Checks can also be sent to the Ottawa County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 36, Port Clinton, Ohio 43452. Please indicate “Rapid Response” in the memo line. Non-profit organizations seeking emergency funds can also apply for a Rapid Response grant. An application is available on the OCCF website.