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Washable cloth face coverings available through NE-WARN

NEWARN is pleased to announce that FEMA is making a significant quantity of washable, cloth face masks available for potential distribution to all requesting water and wastewater utilities/purveyors in Nebraska. We have received 50,000 cloth masks for Nebraska water and wastewater utilities. Accordingly, masks will be initially allocated to requesting utilities at the rate of five (5) masks per full-time employee. The masks are not limited to only operators; all full-time employees in the utility (associated with water/wastewater) are eligible. As supplies may be limited, requests will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Masks will be available at the distribution locations starting May 13th.

If you are interested in requesting FEMA masks through this program, we ask that you please fill out the request form and bring it to the distribution location.

Please fill out this form completely and accurately so we have all pertinent data and contact information. If you have multiple PWSID or NPDES numbers for service areas within your system, please provide only the number for your primary service area. (Note: Requests will only be accepted with completed official request forms)

To facilitate distribution of masks throughout the State, we have established eight (8) primary points of distribution (PODs) which should allow for reasonable access to the masks for most utilities.

The location of each POD (along with associated contact information) is provided with the request form. Please go to the POD associated with your field service area as indicated on the map.

The Nebraska Rural Water Association has volunteered to pickup and deliver masks to water/wastewater systems that cannot send employees or need help receiving masks. Please Contact Randy Hellbusch at 402-443-8535 or email randy@nerwa.org to coordinate.

We ask that you please follow all recommended social distancing and other protective requirements and guidelines that may exist at the time of your pick-up or delivery.

Please note that there is NO GUARANTEE of mask availability for all utilities in our state through this program.

At this time, it is recommended that you not cancel or reduce any previous orders or ongoing supply arrangements that you may have made with other sources.

We are pleased to be able to assist with this effort as a means of supporting all water and wastewater utilities in our state as they adapt to the many challenges at hand, while also continuing to provide reliable and essential services for all. If you have any questions regarding this program or if you have problems in accessing/filling out the mask request form, contact me or reach out to one of the contacts associated with the points of delivery.

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