May 7, 2020
NYWEA GVC has been notified that NYWARN (New York Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network) is distributing FEMA masks. See below for information about this opportunity and who to contact to secure your order. Stay safe and healthy!
NYWARN is pleased to announce that FEMA is making available a significant quantity of washable, cloth face masks for potential distribution to all requesting water and wastewater utilities/purveyors in New York State. Although significant quantities of these masks are anticipated for distribution in New York, the total quantity of masks remains unknown at this time. Accordingly, masks will be initially allocated to requesting utilities at the rate of five (5) masks per full time employee. As supplies may be limited, requests will be filled on a first come-first served basis. It is anticipated that some masks may be available as early as May 1, 2020, but exact timing of deliveries has not been confirmed.
If you are interested in requesting FEMA masks through this program, we ask that you please click on the following link to fill out the official request form - click here. We ask that you please fill this form out completely and accurately so that we have all pertinent data and contact information. If you have multiple PWSID or NPDES numbers for service areas within your system, please provide only the number for your primary service area. Timely action in filling out this request will help place your utility near the top of the request list while also providing us with an indication of what the actual needs are here in New York. The Point of Distribution (aka "POD") for WNY is:
Wayne County Water and Sewer Authority (near Rochester, NY)
3377 Daansen Road
Walworth, New York 14568
Contact: Marty Aman
Phone: (315) 986-1929
Email: maman@wcwsa.org
When filling out your request form, please indicate your closest (or desired) POD so that requests may be forwarded to the appropriate location. Once masks are available at your selected POD, you will receive an email indicating this. Details for pick-up, delivery and or shipping must then be arranged through the contact person at your selected POD.
Although these masks are provided by FEMA without cost, special arrangements for mailing or shipping (if required) will be at the cost of the requesting utility). We ask that you please consider working with neighboring utilities and/or local Water Conferences or Wastewater Chapters to coordinate the pick-up of masks for multiple utilities in your area. If you choose to pick up on behalf of multiple utilities, please make sure that each utility has properly filled out the mask request form. Please also understand that once items are picked up at the POD, distribution is then the responsibility of the receiver.
NYRWA and NYWEA have offered to help with distribution and or coordination with multiple utilities in instances where that fits within their respective capabilities and schedules. We ask that you please follow all recommended social distancing and other protective requirements and guidelines that may exist at the time of your pick-up or delivery. Please note that there is NO GUARANTEE of mask availability for all utilities in our State through this program. At this time, it is recommended that you not cancel or reduce any previous orders or ongoing supply arrangements that you may have made with other sources.
We are pleased to be able to assist with this effort as a means of supporting all water and wastewater utilities in our State as they adapt to the many challenges at hand, while also continuing to provide reliable and essential services for all. If you have any questions regarding this program or if you have problems in accessing/filling out the mask request form, please email support@nywarn.org or reach out to:
NYWEA
Tanya May Jennings
tmj@nywea.org