FEMA LETTER TO DISTRIBUTORS ON DELIVERY OF MEDICAL SUPPLIES
[https://www.fema.gov/news-release/20200514/fema-letter-distributors-delivery-medical-supplies]


Release Date: 
April 8, 2020 

On Friday, March 13, 2020, President Donald J. Trump declared a
national emergency concerning the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic under section 501(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 41 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (Stafford
Act). On March 18, 2020, the President issued Executive Order 13909,
“Prioritizing and Allocating Health and Medical Resources to Respond
to the Spread of COVID-19,” which declares it is critical that
“all health and medical resources needed to respond to the spread of
COVID-19 are properly distributed to the Nation’s healthcare system
and others that need them most.”  As of April 6, 2020 All 50
states, the District of Columbia, five territories and 23 tribes are
working directly with FEMA under the nationwide emergency declaration
for COVID-19, and Stafford Act major disasters have been declared in
more than 39 states and territories. Among other things, the Stafford
Act authorizes FEMA to coordinate all disaster relief assistance
provided by Federal agencies, private organizations, and State and
local governments.

You have agreed to work with FEMA to facilitate rapid distribution of
critical resources in short supply to locations with the greatest
need. FEMA will frequently communicate to you the resource priorities
based on FEMA and HHS data, compiled using subject matter experts in
healthcare, emergency management, and logistics, and in consultation
with State, Territorial, and Tribal governments and the private
sector.  This information will be updated regularly as the need for
resources changes throughout the country in response to COVID-19.

Your partnership further enables FEMA and its federal partners to take
a Whole-of-America approach to combatting COVID-19. Together, we can
efficiently distribute these vital resources to hospitals, healthcare
facilities, nursing homes, pre-hospital medical services, to include
third-service, fire-based, volunteer, and related emergency medical
service providers, state and local governments, and other facilities
critical to caring for the American people during this pandemic.

Sincerely,

JEFFREY DORKO
Deputy Associate Administrator (Acting)
Office of Response and Recovery