Were Out of What? The Disastrous Consequences of Supply Shortages on First Responders During Public Health Emergencies

Every link in the global supply chain was strained to the breaking point during the COVID-19 pandemic.First responders experienced shortages of life-saving personal protective equipment (PPE), which led to workplace illness and even death. This thesis explores how first-responder agencies could embrace a layered defense approach to understanding PPE supply chain risks and adopt policies that promote resource sharing,risk assessment, and cooperative purchasing before the next significant public health emergency. This thesis investigates modern manufacturing and the global supply chain while looking at case studies of past outbreaks to better understand how first responders must prepare for the future. This thesis concludes that steps must be taken to protect first responders. It recommends solutions such as fully stocking the Strategic National Stockpile and allowing states and municipalities to use the federal supply schedule to purchase PPE.Additionally, state and local officials must make decisions that maximize buying power while providing cost-effective storage with reasonable access. Some strategies include purchasing supplies cooperatively and using alternate supply chains. While there is no crystal ball for forecasting when, where, and what the next pandemic will be, the country must prepare now.