DeWine today announced the expansion of N-95 masks sterilization services to law enforcement agencies and EMS providers

Beginning this Friday, local law enforcement agencies and EMS agencies can bring their packaged N-95 masks to any Ohio State Highway Patrol post in the state, and troopers will then bring the masks to Battelle in Columbus

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced the expansion of Ohio’s partnership with Battelle to extend their sterilization services to law enforcement agencies and EMS providers.

The Ohio Department of Public Safety and Battelle have now partnered to sterilize N-95 masks for all of Ohio’s first responders. Battelle is providing this service for free.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol developed a statewide collection and distribution system to make this process as simple as possible for local first responders.

Beginning this Friday, local law enforcement agencies and EMS agencies can bring their packaged N-95 masks to any Ohio State Highway Patrol post in the state, and troopers will then bring the masks to Battelle in Columbus where they will be sterilized. The patrol will then bring the masks back to each post where law enforcement and EMS agencies can pick them up.

“This will contribute greatly to our efforts to protect Ohio’s protectors,” said Governor DeWine. “This process was developed by our Public Safety Strike Force and is a good example of our first responder members identifying a problem and working with their state partners on a solution.”