Firefighter Jason makes life easier for frontline heroes East Coast Night Run postponed to 2021
JASON MAKING MASK EXTENDERS AND FACE SHIELDS USING 3D PRINTER
A CARNEW firefighter has shared how he used a 3D printer to help make face masks more comfortable for frontline healthcare staff.
Jason Keogh was inspired to create mask expanders when he saw family members’ discomfort after wearing a face mask all day. Face mask expanders, or extenders, sit at the back of the head and the loops of the mask go around them, instead of the ears, to relieve pressure on the skin.
Speaking to this paper, Jason said: ‘My aunt is a healthcare assistant and my partner works in a pharmacy. They were wearing face masks all day long in work. The masks were cutting their ears. In my job, we’d wear the masks for a couple of hours.’
Jason decided to make a face mask expander using his 3D printer from a design he spotted in a Facebook group. He shared the first batch with family and friends.
After some friends posted about the expanders on social media, others got in contact asking Jason for face mask expanders.
Demand was so high that Jason got a second 3D printer as the first could only make five at one time and takes 90 minutes to complete the process.
Some friends alsomade donations which helped to cover the cost of the second 3D printer and rolls of filament, the raw material used.
So far, Jason has made over 4,000 face mask expanders which he has given free of charge to organisations including Wicklow Fire Service, Wexford General Hospital, Tallaght Hospital and University Hospital Waterford.
A member of the fire crew at Carnew station for three years, Jason is also making face shields after receiving requests from hairdressers, healthcare workers and creche staff.
Jason’s innovative idea was among those highlighted by Wicklow County Council during ‘Your Council Day’ on
Wednesday. The council joined with other local authorities to showcase ways in which staff and services had adapted in innovative ways to respond to the challenge of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Jason said he hopes to continue to make the mask expanders and face shields.
‘As I long as I can make them, I’ ll keep doing them,’ he added.
THIS year’s East Coast Night Truck Run has become the latest event to be postponed due to Covid-19.
Organisers Denis and Joan Newsome announced on Wednesday that the fundraising event would not be going ahead this year.
‘We are hoping to go ahead next year. We want to thank everyone who has helped or come along to the event. We are grateful to those who attend, but health and safety has to be the priority,’ Denis said.
Last year was the second year of the event which returned due to popular demand. It saw 110 trucks drive in convoy from Aughrim to Gorey, Co. Wexford via Arklow.
The East Coast Night Truck Run takes place to support LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice, in memory of baby Luke Traynor O’Loughlin. Last year’s event raised over €8,000 for the charity.
The event has grown to include a night of entertainment at O’Toole’s pub in Aughrim and a raffle to raise funds for the worthy cause. Last year, many drivers stayed over sleeping in their truck cabs and enjoyed a delicious breakfast the following morning.