Rockland EMS adopts PAPR to diminish COVID-19 threat to responders Sarah Thompson An example of the air purifying equipment sought by Rockland EMS. Rockland City Council speaks to Chief Chris Whytock during the December meeting, held through Zoom. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) Chief Chris Whytock shows the air purifier helmet he plans to purchase. (Photo by Sarah Thompson) ROCKLAND — Rockland EMS has managed, thus far, to stay above the station shutdowns that have sent other organizations into quarantine. The road, however, has been long and exhausting – and nowhere close to finished. As N95 masks again vanish from easy access, and a new culprit aids in the growth of foggy lenses, the department is seeking to add another recently accessible tool to its defense against COVID-19, following along with local hospital employees and laboratories using similar PPE respirators.