As California’s Camp and Woolsey fires continue to burn, the American Logistics Aid Network (ALAN) is gearing up to provide support – and encouraging members of the logistics community to be on the alert for opportunities to do the same.
Effective immediately, the organization has expanded its disaster micro-site (www.alanaid.org/operations/) to include key details about the California fires and their related logistics needs. And late yesterday the organization fulfilled its first request for logistics assistance – donated transportation of comfort items and clean-up supplies – to fire-impacted areas.
“The need for our supply chain assistance to the people who are being impacted in California hasn’t been extensive yet,” said ALAN Executive Director Kathy Fulton. “However the operative word is yet, which is why we hope members of the logistics community will stay in touch with us often in the days or weeks ahead – or consider making a pre-offer of any space, services and equipment they’d be willing to donate to relief efforts. Like many disasters this one will continue to be an ongoing story for us for many weeks or months to come, so every donation or offer of assistance truly helps.”
Started last Thursday, the California Camp Fire has destroyed more than 125,000 acres and claimed 42 lives, making it the deadliest in state history. Meanwhile, the Woolsey Fire has claimed two lives and destroyed nearly 100,000 acres.
The combined fires are the fifth wide-scale disaster ALAN has mobilized for this fall, which has proven to be one of the busiest and most destructive seasons in the organization’s 13-year history. In fact, the organization is still actively fielding many relief requests for most of these events, including hurricanes Michael and Florence.
“We hope this would be the last time this year that we have to send out an APB like this, because each one represents a major catastrophe that we wouldn’t wish on anyone,” said Fulton. “However we’re thankful for the overwhelming response we’ve received from members of the logistics community. Various companies have stepped up to help us fulfill requests for everything from forklifts and pallet jacks to logistics space and transportation services. And that in turn has helped us make a considerable difference for disaster survivors.”
