Army Corps executes alternate care facility mission in Maryland, Pennsylvania and DC in response to COVID-19
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is performing site inspections across Maryland, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia to support a nationwide FEMA mission assignment to convert existing large spaces into alternate care sites to augment COVID-19 response efforts.
During the site inspections, District task members are assessing the facilities for: structural soundness; square footage; potential bed capacity; potential isolation space; electrical and communication capabilities; availability of back-up generators; adequate plumbing and HVAC systems; the feasibility of creating a negative-pressure environment to contain germs; safety codes; ADA compliance, and more.
The District will arm its state partners with facility capability information, so they can determine how to best proceed with each space and its potential alternate care level and use. Not all sites inspected will be used.
The State/Commonwealth/District would work to lease the selected properties (if not already owned by them) and also work with partnering agencies to staff and supply the facilities.
