San Francisco, CA — Mayor London N. Breed and Supervisor Catherine Stefani today announced a large donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers. Flexport, a San Francisco-based company, donated surgical masks, gloves, gowns, and thermometers to San Francisco’s efforts to respond to COVID-19. Supervisor Stefani was instrumental in coordinating the donation of the PPE, which will be put to immediate use through the Emergency Operations Center.

“Our frontline healthcare workers and first responders are doing heroic work to protect people and save lives during this crisis,” said Mayor Breed. “As we plan for the surge of medical cases in our hospitals, we need more equipment to protect our workers and keep them healthy and safe. Here in San Francisco, we aren’t waiting around and hoping this equipment appears – we are doing the work to find it anywhere we can. We are grateful to Flexport for providing these supplies at this critical moment in our City’s response.”

“When Ryan reached out to ask how Flexport could help during this pandemic, I was reminded again of the strength, resilience, and compassion of our community,” said Supervisor Stefani. “I was thrilled—but not surprised—to hear that Flexport is stepping up to deliver thousands of much needed surgical gowns, gloves, masks, and more to our local efforts to flatten the curve. When we all step up, there’s no challenge too great for San Francisco.”

As part of the City's response to coronavirus, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is coordinating the supply of PPE in San Francisco. The EOC is working closely with health systems throughout the City, the California Department of Public Health, and federal partners to obtain additional shipments of PPE while coordinating the allocation of PPE where it is needed throughout the health system. Flexport delivered the following supplies to San Francisco’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Moscone Center on Friday, March 20:

• 60,000 surgical masks
• 34,000 gloves
• 2,000 surgical gowns
• 50 thermometers

These supplies will be delivered directly to frontline workers through the Department of Public Health’s Department Operations Center. Mayor Breed and City leaders will continue to work with private companies to secure more PPE for workers.

“We are in awe of the brave first-responders and healthcare workers confronting this epidemic,” said Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport. “Through a long-standing partnership with non-profit organization MedShare.org, we were able to deliver the first wave of personal protective equipment to the city today. Flexport is a global logistics company, and we will not rest until we’ve scoured the entire globe for supplies of the personal protective equipment that our city’s healthcare workers need to stay safe and fight this battle on our behalf.”

Flexport is a freight forwarding and customs brokerage company that was founded with the goal of modernizing global trade. Flexport combines advanced cloud technology and analytics logistics infrastructure, and the human expertise it takes to make global supply chains more efficient and transparent.

“We are responding to this emergency and planning ahead for our recovery,” said City Administrator Naomi M. Kelly. “Monetary contributions and large non-monetary supply donations will help ensure we literally save lives. I am thankful that Flexport has demonstrated this necessary leadership at this crucial time.”

“Once again, San Francisco and the Bay Area show what community is all about,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of Health. “I am so grateful for this donation of personal protective equipment for our frontline health care workers. As we prepare for an expected surge of COVID-19 patients who need hospitalization, these supplies will be essential to maintain community health. As we continue to advocate at the state and federal level for the equipment and supplies we need, it is heartening to see local actions like these in support of our San Francisco health care workforce.”

The City and County of San Francisco has established a system for individuals to give monetarily through Give2SF.org to support the COVID-19 response. In addition to monetary donations, the City is requesting sealed PPE, cleaning supplies, and technology equipment for essential employees to telecommute.

To receive these requests, the City has set up the Donations Management Branch at the EOC, which is staffed by the City Administrator’s Office.