LifeCare helps transport masks

Company delivers masks twice a week to Battelle in Columbus for sterilization

LifeCare Ambulance is stepping up to help out how they can during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

One of the ways this has taken shape is by helping to transport masks for sterilization.

“It’s really a neat program,” said Dave Richards, president and CEO of LifeCare. “The sterilization of the masks was originally banned by the federal government, but (Gov.) Mike DeWine really made the push to allow Battelle, a company in Columbus, to sterilize the masks, and the company is now providing that service.”

Richards said LifeCare saw an opportunity to get involved.

“We noticed all the N95 masks being used and thrown away from our partners like the Cleveland Clinic, Mercy Health, Lorain Police Department, Elyria Police Department, etc.,” he said. “So, we offered to transport the masks, which we are now doing twice a week, to Columbus for the sterilization and returning them.”

“We got money to pay employees through the Payroll Protection Program.” — Dave Richards, president and CEO of LifeCare

Richards said it has allowed him to keep his employees working during the pandemic.

“We have had a decrease, and this has especially been true for the drivers in our wheelchair division,” he said.

“The volume for them to be used has gone down, so this was a way for me to keep them working. We got money to pay employees through the Payroll

Protection Program, so this was a way for them to come to work and have something to do while our calls are down.

“Some of our guys have also been involved with passing out food, so it’s all been about getting creative for our employees to

still have jobs during this time.”

Richards said LifeCare has also been involved with the drive-by parades.

“We have coordinated a few of the car parades for the younger kids,” he said. “We get our vans involved and we engage with the local

fire departments, and sometimes the police departments. We then coordinate a route and have a miniature parade with the sirens going as folks watch from driveways. It’s really pretty neat.”

Richards said he is just trying to have employees

fill in when they can.

“The call volume has gone down,” he said.

“So, we are just doing what we can for employees to continue to work, pay rent and put food on the table for their families,” Richards said.