Former NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill says now that he is the city's COVID-19 Senior Advisor, he wants to help save as many lives as possible — and that means helping hospital workers.

O’Neill said support has already poured in for his mission.

"I got to tell you, my phone blew up yesterday with people offering to help, people offering equipment,” O’Neill said. “This just goes to the generosity of the people not just of New York City, but the people around the country."

O'Neill retired as police commissioner last year after climbing the ranks of the department during a 37-year career.

He’s currently head of global security for Visa. His volunteer role of COVID-19 Senior Advisor is an important one, making sure to track all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), ventilators, and other critical medical supplies coming into the city.

He explained the complicated way supplies are arriving in the five boroughs.

"Right now, the way it works, the equipment could come in from any number of sources. It could come in from the federal government, it come in from the state government, it could come from the city,” O’Neill said. “It could come in from the private sector, it could come in as a gift, a contribution, it could be from a vendor."

He said it's all about project management. Officers from the NYPD and staff from City Hall will help him keep track off all emergency medical equipment.

"There are four warehouses where it comes into, then it is distributed to a number of hospitals and a number of nursing homes, and we have to make sure that's being done as expeditiously as possible." O’Neill said.

He added that great work is being done with the supply chain, and he's going to try to improve the system and add accountability.

President Donald Trump has suggested New York doesn't need all of the supplies the governor and mayor are requesting. Last weekend, he said an investigation needs to done to see if masks were being stolen out the back doors of hospitals.

When asked if he’s concerned about the president’s statements, O’Neill responded, “The whole point of this is really inventory control to make sure as it comes in we account for it, and as it is distributed we account for it.”

“The need is there, and I am not going to get into any allegations or politics here, but the need is here,” he continued.

O’Neill vowed if there are any bureaucratic problems getting in the way of distributing medical supplies, he would try to cut through the red tape to save lives. He said he'll keep us posted on what he finds out.

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