Photo By Master Sgt. Julianne Showalter | U.S. Army Spc. Michael Shintani, of the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence...... read more read more
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FONTANA, Calif. – At the Meyer Canyon Warehouse, U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Leonard and Spc. Michael Shintani, both with the 250th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion, California Army National Guard, are inspecting personal protective equipment (PPE) for quality and quantity before it’s distributed to places in need.
"Our mission is to work at the warehouse to take accountability of medical equipment that is coming into this facility and making sure the quantity is what it says it’s supposed to be by doing physical checks,” Shintani said. “We want to make sure that equipment that’s going out from the state is correct and meets standards to keep people that are receiving these products safe.”
The warehouse was previously used for retail items, but it was converted to meet the needs of California’s statewide effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diego Maldonado, the warehouse operations supervisor and facility manager, said, "We’re assisting the state of California and other companies with the COVID-19 response for PPE to hospitals and distribution facilities all over California. We’re also helping manage PPE coming in from overseas. We’re a seven-day-a-week operation.”
On average the warehouse receives nine million units per day and ships out six to ten million units per day. A unit consists of masks, gloves, gowns, and face shields.
“It’s pretty cool being here,” Maldonado said. “My employees are open to working long hours potentially because we’re here to do something that’s important. We’re not here to ship out high end shoes or anything like that. Our first responders really need our help to treat patients, so we’re open to a lot and are flexible. It keeps us going.”
Shintani and Leonard work exclusively with inspecting new shipments. The pair have gained a greater respect for warehouse workers and the job they do.
“It’s interesting working here. Working within a warehouse is something I never imaged I’d be doing, but I have a lot of respect for the warehouse workers with how busy and how organized shipping and receiving facilities are. These are some of the best forklift drivers I’ve ever seen,” said Shintani.
Maldonado is appreciative of his added team members.
"I think it’s great that the National Guard is here,” he said. “I think that it’s all a team effort whether you’re a civilian or military. The virus doesn’t look at anyone differently, so it’s great that we’re able to get their assistance. It shows teamwork.”
| Date Taken: | 05.18.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2020 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 369615 |
| Location: | FONTANA, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 96 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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