Surf Life Saving NSW donates protective equipment to frontline police

With supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) running low globally during COVID-19, Surf Life Saving NSW (SLSNSW) has donated 11,000 PPE masks to the NSW Police Force.

The 11,000 masks can be used by frontline NSW Police or other emergency services personnel to protect them from the threat of COVID-19 virus transmission while on duty.

Forty-thousand masks were generously donated to SLSNSW by US aid organisation, Direct Relief in January. They were originally gifted by Direct Relief for use by surf lifesavers assisting the NSW community during the devastating January bushfires, in areas with poor air quality.

The Direct Relief masks were distributed to all 129 surf clubs and will continue to be used by frontline surf lifesaving emergency callout teams along the NSW coastline, who remain on standby to respond to coastal incidents relating to the current crisis. Emergency callout teams may require PPE equipment to protect them from the threat of COVID-19 transmission during rescues or first aid incidents.

SLSNSW Chief Executive, Steven Pearce said the sharing of these vital resources is a great example of how emergency services including NSW Police and SLSNSW, are working together to keep frontline personnel safe during the COVID-19 crisis.

NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Jeff Loy thanked Surf Life Saving NSW for the donation and said that the gesture was a reflection of the great working relationship the two organisations have.