Advance Air & Heat Company, Inc. announced today they donated service technician time and expertise, to prepare two abandoned nursing facilities for COVID-19 patients in the city of New Bedford, MA.

The City of New Bedford, MA in a pro-active and forward thinking move, decided to re-activate two abandoned medical facilities to be ready and able to accommodate an expected overflow from local hospitals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These facilities, which closed down about a year ago, are being prepped for occupancy through the coordinated efforts of city officials and local businesses. This move could mean the difference in care for a large number of at-risk local residents.

Not everyone has the skills needed to be a doctor or nurse on the front lines of this fight, but that does not mean we can’t all do our part to help our neighbors in the fight against COVID-19.

With a push to help out those impacted by the pandemic, some are helping local restaurants by ordering take out, others are making homemade PPE for hospitals and most are doing the right thing by staying home and social distancing. Individual Americans and local businesses are looking for ways to help.

The City of New Bedford, MA recently gave Advance Air & Heat Co, Inc. an opportunity to do their part in this fight.

Advance Air’s role was to ensure the proper operation of all of the heating and ventilation systems for life safety and to provide fresh air and proper ventilation to the both buildings.

Advance Air & Heat Company’s owner Karen Lamy DeSousa says they’ve had a long-standing relationship with the City of New Bedford and were thrilled to do their part to help out the city in this precarious time of need.

Ms. DeSousa who is the owner and President of Advance Air, commented: “Responding to emergency repair calls is part of our everyday business, but it is not every day we get to be part of something that could save lives on this large a scale. We are proud as an organization to play a role in this effort.”

Two teams of technicians worked over a three-week period to troubleshoot and repair several systems including an oil-fired boiler, make-up air units, air handling units and ductless split systems. All were up and running before deadline so they will be ready to go if and when the building is needed for patient care.


UPDATE: Though we were hopeful the facilities would not be needed. The Rockdale Ave nursing home has been put into service and is actively receiving Covid-19 patients as of 4/17/2020. The Acushnet Ave nursing home is expected to be put into service by May 1st.