Volusia County's Ocean Center is now a central distribution hub for a critical supply chain that's responsible for getting life-saving equipment to local workers on the front lines of the battle against the coronavirus.

Approximately 94,000-square-feet of exhibit space at the convention center has been converted into a temporary staging area for critically-needed personal protective gear such as masks, gowns, gloves and face shields. Volusia County Emergency Management procured the materials through the Florida Division of Emergency Management to fulfill requests from local agencies. Pallets of supplies are being shipped here and then sorted and inventoried by county staff in public protection, corrections and emergency management and readied for distribution to first responders and area hospitals, healthcare facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

The goal is to fill up the temporary warehouse space as much and as fast as possible and then get the equipment to where it's needed just as fast.