Photos of Whole-of-America COVID-19 Response Volume 14

Release Date Release Number
HQ-20-090
Release Date:
April 9, 2020

WASHINGTON — The whole-of-America response to fighting the COVID-19 pandemic continued today, as FEMA airbridge flights arrived in Chicago carrying nearly 200,000 surgical gowns and more than 8 million surgical masks for distribution to the hardest hit areas around the country.  National Guardsmen provided much-needed COVID-19 support in Chicago and Stamford, Connecticut, setting up medical equipment and hospital beds in those cities. 

Under the White House Coronavirus Task Force's direction, FEMA, HHS and our federal partners are working with state, local, tribal and territorial governments to execute a whole-of-America response to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and protect the public. In addition to the nationwide emergency declaration, President Trump has granted 52 major disaster declarations to states, territories and the District of Columbia.
As of April 7, 15 airbridge flights have landed, containing critical personal protective equipment (PPE): gloves, gowns, goggles, and masks.  An additional 52 flights are scheduled over the next three weeks.

FEMA has obligated $4.7 billion in support of COVID-19 efforts. This week, major obligations include:

  • $50 million for Colorado to provide construction of alternate care facilities.
  • $55 million for Washington, D.C. for USACE to provide assessment and construction of alternate care facilities to support medical surge.
  • $33.7 million for Nevada for DOD to provide Title 32 personnel and equipment to assist states to execute emergency protective measures.
  • $26.1 million for New Jersey for the purchase of PPE and materials at the emergency operations center, and equipment purchases.

Project Airbridge Delivers Supplies for Nationwide Distribution

Medical supplies are unloaded from a plane.

CHICAGO (April 8, 2020) — An international cargo plane from China arrives at Chicago O’Hare International Airport with more than 8 million surgical masks and over 190,000 surgical gowns for distribution nationwide in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The delivery is part of a FEMA airbridge to bring supplies, such as N-95 respirators, surgical masks, gloves and gowns to battle COVID-19. FEMA continues to schedule flights to bring supplies to the hardest hit areas.

Photo by Alexis Hall/FEMA
 

Illinois Air National Guard Assembles Medical Equipment in Chicago

Soldiers use a pallet truck to move hospital mattresses in the convention center.

CHICAGO (April 8, 2020) — Members of the Illinois Air National Guard assemble medical equipment at the McCormick Place Convention Center in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Approximately 60 members of the Illinois Air National Guard were activated to support the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to temporarily convert part of the McCormick Center into an alternate care facility (ACF) for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms who do not require intensive care in the Chicago area.

U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jay Grabiec
 

Connecticut National Guard Sets Up Medical Capability at Stamford Hospital

Air National Guardsmen support beams for a tent.

STAMFORD, Conn. (April 8, 2020) — Airmen from the 103rd Air Control Squadron set up Alaskan Small Shelter System tents at Stamford Hospital.  Connecticut National Guard soldiers and airmen set up 200 beds at the hospital and constructed Alaskan Small Shelter System tents for a separate triage area in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Tucker
 

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