NYC Correction Department gives FDNY 30K masks despite concerns over inadequate supplies in jails to battle coronavirus

The city’s Department of Correction has given at least 30,000 masks to the FDNY — even though correction officers and other jail staffers have said for weeks that they don’t have enough supplies to protect themselves from coronavirus, the Daily News has learned.

The masks — which were kept in a Rikers Island storage house — were handed over last week, sources told the News.

City officials confirmed on Monday that 30,000 Correction Department masks were given to the Fire Department, and that there’s an ample supply of masks for those working in the jails.

“Just as our hospitals share resources, our city agencies must act as one coordinated system to share resources where they are needed most,” said City Hall spokeswoman Avery Cohen. “DOC has acted in accordance with the Department of Health regarding the distribution and supply of PPE at every critical juncture, and will continue to do so for the duration of this crisis.”

The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association raised concerns in early March over an inadequate number of masks and other supplies for those who work in city jails.

Those concerns were reiterated on March 18 by the union and City Councilmember Keith Powers (D-Manhattan), chair of the Criminal Justice Committee, after the first correction officer tested positive for COVID-19.

The Correction Department distributed masks on that date. But Commissioner Cynthia Brann issued an internal memo three days later that said “these masks are limited in quantity,” and that they would be reserved for personnel working in quarantined areas, transporting inmates with flu-like symptoms and any circumstances areas deemed necessary by the department."

The correction officers’ union sued the city April 2 over a lack of life-saving supplies. The suit — also supported by The Legal Aid Society — was settled last week after the city agreed to give out more hand sanitizer, cleaning supplies and N95 masks to correction officers who are transporting people in custody with coronavirus, court documents show.

Mayor de Blasio said April 7 that the FDNY had enough masks and protective equipment for all EMTs, paramedics and firefighters fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

The DOC sent out an internal memo on Saturday at around 5:30 p.m. informing uniformed and non-uniformed staffers they would have an adequate amount of personal protective equipment.

The memo was sent out three hours after The News first inquired about the 30,000 masks the Correction Department gave to FDNY.

“Surgical masks and gloves are to be provided to staff assigned to all areas, except EMTC, West Facility, symptomatic quarantines housing areas in RMSC and NIC annex, and those transporting symptomatic incarcerated persons,” the memo read. “Staff assigned to these areas shall receive an N-95 or KN95 masks, googles ... face shields and gloves.”

As of Sunday, 775 Correction Department staffers and 362 people in custody had tested positive for COVID-19. At least seven staffers have died from the disease, officials said.

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