These days, a donation to local first responders on the frontlines fighting the COVID-19 epidemic can make a big difference. This was the case when Whirlpool Corporation employee Walt Kelly put the wheels in motion for a donation of two pairs of laundry machines. Kelly is a manager at Whirlpool Corp’s Cleveland, Tennessee customer service center, who received a request for help from an old friend.
“A friend and former Whirlpool colleague, Vinnie Baio, is now the director of the 911 dispatch center for Puckett EMS in the Chattanooga area,” said Kelly. “He reached out to me to see if Whirlpool would consider donating two laundry pairs for the Puckett EMTs to use to launder their uniforms. I passed Vinnie’s request on to the Whirlpool Foundation for consideration, and was very pleased we were able to meet the request.”
Laundry Pair Donation Impacts EMS Crews Servicing Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia
As part of COVID-19 precautions, Puckett EMS encourages crews to wash their uniforms at their stations before they return home. However, washers and dryers were not conveniently available at two stations.
“Thanks to Communications Director Vinnie Biao making the connection with Whirlpool, we received the additional washers and dryers,” said Vice President of Operations Will Pitt. “We are tremendously grateful to our friends at Whirlpool for supporting our EMTs and paramedics.”
Puckett EMS provides 9-1-1 service to two counties in Southeast Tennessee, and three counties in North Georgia. The company also serves major Chattanooga area hospitals transporting patients to appointments and between medical facilities.