St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador — Colonial Auto Parts and APM Limited have donated its combined inventory of 3M respirator masks to local health care authorities to aid in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
With the help of Gerry Stead, 3M Safety Specialist in the Personal Safety Division for Newfoundland and Labrador, the company reached out to provincial Health Canada authorities to see how it could aid Atlantic workers on the front lines of the pandemic.
“Upon learning that each province is in desperate need of half-face and full-face respiratory masks we were humbled to be able to donate our entire inventory to protect those in the communities we serve,” said Douglas Squires, president of Colonial Auto Parts and APM Limited.
The company’s 20 locations in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick mustered up 111 3M half-face and full-face reusable respirator masks and 1580 N95 disposable masks to health care workers in all three provinces.
Newfoundland workers received, 38 half and full reusable masks and 350 N95 disposable masks, while the company gifted Nova Scotian workers 43 half and full reusable face masks and 330 N95 disposables. New Brunswick received 40 half and full reusable face masks and 900 N95 disposable masks.
“These respirators are much more comfortable for breathing in for prolonged periods of time and have specifically been requested by ER doctors,” said Jean Kent, senior director of supply chain operations for the Nova Scotia Health Authority. “This generous offer will go to good use helping staff who are wearing this PPE all day along. We are having a hard time getting the equipment and I am beyond grateful for this generous offer of support.”
“Supplies of PPE are dangerously low, and we encourage all aftermarket suppliers, as well as other industries—-mining, welding and automotive repairers—to check for items they might not initially think, are useful in medical settings,” noted Squires. “Most N95 masks, cartridge replacement filters, cleaners, and other PPE related materials are suitable, and much needed in the battle to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Colonial Auto Parts and A.P.M. Limited have been family-owned and operated since 1926 and 1941 respectively, with 20 branch locations they are the largest independent suppliers of aftermarket automotive parts and body shop supplies in Atlantic Canada.
