OLDS — As businesses in Olds open up, if owners need personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks, gloves or face shields, the Emergency Operations Centre in Olds will help them find suppliers, director Brian Powell says.
Powell made that statement during council’s May 11 meeting in response to a question from Coun. Heather Ryan.
“As more businesses start to open up, they’ll be requiring the PPE and can we try to help facilitate where they can find them,” she asked.
“We will share whatever suppliers we have. And whatever pieces of information we have we will definitely fire that off,” Powell said.
“That’s great. It’s difficult to access some of the stuff and I know that businesses will be looking for it so it’s good that they have someone they can turn to,” Ryan said.
Coun. Mary Jane Harper, who represents the town on the Olds and District Chamber of Commerce board of directors, said it’s her understanding the chamber, in conjunction with the town, is looking at a way to help businesses obtain PPE, perhaps via bulk orders.
The chamber has emailed its members a survey asking about needs for PPE.
In an interview, chamber executive director Caroline Bodmer said that information will be relayed to the town and provincial government.
Powell noted the need for PPE is “a provincewide concern.”
He said an Alberta Urban Municipalities Association official may have something more to say on that issue soon.