With a potential nor’easter threatening an already crippled region, the Defense Logistics Agency continues to supply the Federal Emergency Management Agency with much needed emergency supplies, medical equipment, fuel and now cold and wet weather clothing to help those working toward recovery after Hurricane Sandy.
While FEMA is keeping a close eye on the upcoming cold weather, 500 sets of cold weather clothing and 200 hypothermia kits have been staged at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.
Representatives from DLA Troop Support’s subsistence, medical, clothing and textiles, and construction and equipment supply chains have been working in the command and control center 24/7 to fulfill FEMA and U.S. Northern Command requests.
Additionally, DLA has taken on a new mission of powering up gas stations that have no power. Currently, there have been 81 stations identified and they are expected to have several up and running within the next 24 hours. This mission has been contracted to provide a solution to those stations that have gas but no power.
To aid those already struggling with little to no power for heat and basic essentials during the recovery, DLA received another new mission to have a contracted company supply power to 41 apartment buildings in New York City, with the first location in Queens.
First responder fuel support continues to be a priority with more than 850,000 gallons of fuel delivered to 26 locations in New York and New Jersey.
In a Nov. 7 blog post, DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek emphasized to everyone involved in this critical mission to, “Keep charging and keep up the great work.”
As recovery continues, trash and wastewater capabilities are critical for the health and safety of those in the severely affected areas. Support contracts have been put in place to support wastewater cleanup, hazardous materials removal and debris removal.
DLA has supported recovery efforts for two hurricanes already this 2012 hurricane season, which began June 1 and ends Nov. 30. The first was Hurricane Isaac in late August.