NORWICH – Nearly 300 face shields were made available to first responders and through the Chenango County Emergency Management Office and the City of Norwich Fire Department, thanks to efforts coordinated by DCMO BOCES.

“We use them for every call we go on,” said City of Norwich Fire Chief Jan Papelino. “We were low on shields, but I heard from DCMO BOCES that their 3-D printers were making these. We were down to four shields in our inventory so DCMO BOCES helped to fill our gap. Since then, the Norwich High School has given us more, and the Raymond Corporation gave us some as well. We’re in a lot better shape.”

 Additionally, a first order of 55 shields requested by the Chenango County Emergency Management Office was followed by another order for 200. 

 “Normally we provide supplies to all first response agencies through the state’s cache system but we couldn’t get any,” explained Matt Beckwith, Fire Coordinator and Director of Emergency Management for Chenango County. “We found a need for face shields to supplement N95 and surgical masks, and DCMO BOCES gave us a sample and asked if we were interested. It took me about 30 seconds to say yes.”

 Keeping up with the demand became a shared project.