bp's Whiting Refinery donates PPE to local frontline workers

As the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic created shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential supplies, hospitals and emergency service providers struggled to obtain the critical gear they needed to keep the public safe.

Stepping up to help fill this need in their local community, the team at bp’s Whiting Refinery in Indiana assembled and donated more than 16,000 pieces of PPE to frontline health care providers, first responders and other essential workers who support the cities surrounding the facility.

The Whiting team distributed N95 respirators, duckbill masks, face shields and disposable shoe coverings to two local hospital systems. They delivered the supplies to Franciscan Health Hammond, part of the Franciscan Health network, and St. Catherine Hospital, part of Community Healthcare System.

“We would like to recognize the efforts of BP Whiting for this generous donation of personal protective equipment, which will help keep our medical staff and patients safe during these times of uncertainty,” said Patrick Maloney, president and CEO, Franciscan Health Foundation. “We all are in this together, working to support a healthy, safe community.”

The team also donated protective face coverings to emergency service providers and essential workers in the cities of East Chicago, Hammond and Whiting.  A portion of the masks will be provided to members of the local community.

“These are very challenging times, and I am proud of our team for coming together to support our neighbors on the frontlines of COVID-19,” said Dave Kurt, Whiting Refinery manager. “Our community’s first responders are saving lives, and city workers are helping provide essential services — these donations will help keep them safe and enable them to continue their vital work.”