Sheriffs Partner with Motorola Solutions Foundation, SwabTek, UPS, and Venture Global to Deliver More than 200,000 Face Masks to Sheriffs’ Offices

May 18, 2020 - The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) via its Educational Foundation has partnered with the Motorola Solutions Foundation, SwabTek and UPS to provide 200,000 protective face masks* to sheriffs’ offices across the nation at no cost. This contribution to the work and safety of our sheriffs and deputies is being fully funded by a generous donation to the NSA Educational Foundation from the Motorola Solutions Foundation, the charitable and philanthropic arm of Motorola Solutions. The Foundation prioritizes its funding on public safety programming, technology & engineering education, disaster relief and employee volunteerism.

“As part of our commitment to support first responders, whose heroic efforts are keeping us protected and safe, the Motorola Solutions Foundation is pleased to support the National Sheriffs’ Association’s Educational Foundation in providing personal protective equipment to sheriffs’ offices across the country which are combatting COVID-19 in their communities,” said Monica Mueller, Executive Director, Motorola Solutions Foundation.

“The coronavirus pandemic has forced our first responders to navigate the most complex environment they’ve encountered in generations, placing them in harm’s way and in desperate need of scarce, life-saving personal protective equipment,” NSA Executive Director Jonathan Thompson said. “We are gratified by the support of industry leaders to produce and deliver face masks to the nation’s sheriffs.”

The face mask has been designed by the innovation team at Under Armour for use by healthcare and community organizations, and offers a lightweight, breathable shield for the wearer. For clarity, the face mask being produced is not designed or intended to be used as a surgical mask or respirator of any kind pursuant to that guidance. 

SwabTek, a nationwide provider of protective gear for law enforcement and first responders, is handling orders from the sheriffs and managing distribution, all at cost.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to join with great partners to not only provide needed protective masks, but to show the nation’s sheriffs’ offices that we are behind them in these challenging times,” said Bob Betros, CEO of SwabTek.  

UPS is providing the transportation speed and national scale to ensure sheriffs’ offices will receive masks as quickly as possible. 

“This mask is a perfect example of the need for innovation in times of crisis. We are honored to work with all partners involved to ensure first responders have the tools they need to continue to do their jobs as safely as possible,” said Mike Kiely, Senior Vice President for UPS State Public Affairs. “The UPS network is uniquely positioned to quickly distribute critical supplies across the country, and we are proud to leverage it for this important shipment.”

Special thanks to Venture Global. We appreciate their support of NSA and assistance in this project.

*For purposes of this project, “face masks” means a mask “that covers the user’s nose and mouth and may or may not meet fluid barrier or filtration efficiency levels” as described in FDA guidance issued in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.