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KCPD chief asks for temporal thermometers, disposable masks

KCPD
Posted at 1:58 PM, Mar 23, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-23 16:33:51-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — At a press conference Monday, Kansas City, Missouri, Police Chief Rick Smith asked for donations of temporal thermometers and disposable masks, even if they are handmade

“We have some, but it’s limited,” Smith said.

Small amounts of such supplies, according to Smith, is a “nationwide issue” and not specific to KCPD.

He also said that police will not be stopping people to “ask for papers” or stopping vehicles to ask drivers where they are going during the stay-at-home order.

Unless there is “criminal intent,” Smith said that people wishing to report “noncompliance” with the stay-at-home order should call 311.

“We’re asking for people to have some personal responsibility to stop the spread of the virus,” Smith said.

Smith said they also are implementing stricter health screenings in detention units.

Representatives from the Emergency Operations Center, Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department Emergency Medical Services and KCPD were present.

KCFD Chief Donna Maize said fire management began planning in late January for the time when COVID-19 would hit the community, and they began ordering personal protective equipment such as N95 masks.

Their goal, she said, is to ensure they have an “uninterrupted supply chain.”

Their priority, she said, is to fulfill their mission while protecting first responders.

KCFD also is working within stay at home order, such as reducing fire inspections to as-needed and providing no-contact delivery of smoke alarms rather than installing them. KCFD also has suspended its community outreach efforts.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.