Senator Collins calls on Pentagon to Review Equipment Needs to Prepare for Pandemics

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to review the modular pressure mobile containment systems that can offer a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) or hospital the capability to safely assess and treat patients with COVID-19 symptoms. 

Section 732 of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requires the Department of Defense (DoD) to review and update its inventory of medical supplies and equipment. In her letter, Senator Collins called on DoD to include in its review an assessment of DOD’s requirement for negative air pressure room containment systems to help ensure it has adequate equipment on-hand for future pandemics or similar emergencies.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for rapid scalability of treatment containment solutions to address outbreak surges in both military and civilian treatment facilities.  During the ongoing crisis, the nation saw a huge spike in demand for modular negative pressure mobile containment rooms that can offer a MTF or hospital the capability to safely assess and treat patients with suspected COVID-19 symptoms,” wrote Senator Collins.  “I respectfully request that the Department’s Section 732 review include an assessment of such negative air pressure room containment systems, consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.”

As a senior member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins secured a number of provisions in the NDAA that will benefit Maine.  Last year, Senator Collins visited STARC Systems in Brunswick, which produces modular reusable containment walls that can create negative air pressure isolation rooms.

Click HERE to read the full letter.