The State of California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) set up an oxygen depot in Riverside County to help meet the needs of hospitals within the region.
The oxygen depot is comprised of two large oxygen generators that will fill the large tanks used by hospitals and will augment the local oxygen supply, according to the county. Centrally located, Riverside County is an ideal location to provide this resource to neighboring counties.
“Oxygen suppliers are having a difficult time meeting the high demand of area hospitals due to the COVID19 pandemic,” Bruce Barton, director of the Riverside County Emergency Management District, said in a statement. “This isn’t limited to just one hospital. COVID patients need lots of oxygen and that’s taxing the entire healthcare system.”
Supported by Riverside County Facilities Management, EMSA staffing will be available 24 hours a day to fill oxygen tanks. The oxygen generator is expected to remain until suppliers are able to keep up with demands.
In addition to the much-needed oxygen, a team of U.S. military medical personnel arrived in the county on Thursday to add support. They are part of a state request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for federal support to medical facilities throughout California.
