UPS deploys logistics experts to assist tornado relief efforts
UPS is supporting American Red Cross relief efforts in the wake of last month’s tornadoes in the southeastern United States. The company has pledged funds to the American Red Cross, with an extra $100,000 on top of its original $500,000 commitment, along with $50,000 for the Metropolican Atlanta Chapter of the Red Cross.
For the first time, it is also activating its newly-created Logistics Action Teams (LATs) – employee volunteers who can provide their logistics expertise to help the Red Cross coordinate relief efforts after the violent storms, which left 337 dead including 236 in the state of Alabama.
UPS has been managing emergency supply shipments to Alabama and Mississippi on behalf of the Red Cross. In Atlanta, UPS operations division manager Mark Krause has been working with the Red Cross Logistics Command Center to coordinate projects across Georgia, including distribution of clean-up supplies, delivery of hot meals and transportation of document, equipment and supplies from Red Cross warehouses to affected areas.
As well as its LAT group for Atlanta, UPS has trained LAT groups to work with the Red Cross in San Francisco, Houston and Louisana.
Nancy Brockway, Chief Emergency Services Officer for Metro Atlanta Chapter of the American Red Cross, said: “The UPS Logistics Action Team has been invaluable to our tornado relief operation. Their expertise has helped us be more efficient in transporting meals and supplies to the families who so desperately need them.”
UPS modeled its LAT system on the World Food Program’s Logistics Emergency Teams, which use private sector experts in times of crisis. UPS has been involved in World Food Program’s LETs in places like Japan and Colombia.
