FEMA logisticians leaders, DLA Distribution, share quest for speed

NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –

Logistics leaders from the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Headquarters for an overview of DLA Distribution capabilities, focused on the expeditionary logistical support to FEMA and U.S. Northern Command for hurricanes and a tour of the Eastern Distribution Center, Mar. 7.

Paul Finn, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Susquehanna, demonstrates a ruggedized tablet in the Eastern Distribution Center to Julia Moline, Federal Emergency Management Agency deputy associate administrator for operations recovery, center, and Carla Gammon, deputy associate administrator for logistics, March 7, 2023. (Photo by Diana Dawa)

“We can get there quickly – we’re the gap filler until you can get there,” said Army Lt. Col. Ed Strzalkowski, DLA Distribution Expeditionary commander.

Al Bannerman, Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Expeditionary, right, introduces Carla Gammon, Federal Emergency Management Agency deputy associate administrator for logistics, center, to James Carbajal, DDXX equipment operator, during a tour of the deployable tent. (Photo by Diana Dawa)

FEMA and DLA Distribution have worked together on emergency and disaster recovery efforts for over 18 years. After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA and DLA signed a formal agreement designating DLA as a source for various supplies and services, including a deployable depot to manage and operate FEMA incident support bases. The agreement gives DLA the flexibility to pre-position material before storms make landfall to ensure rapid movement of critical supplies. From the time FEMA sends an alert/mission assignment, DLA Distribution’s Expeditionary team deploys an advance team within 48 hours and has the team set up and operational within 96 hours.

The DLA Distribution Expeditionary Teams, located at DLA Distribution San Joaquin, California, and DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, have answered the call many times over the years. Most recently, the DLA Distribution Expeditionary team supported FEMA during Hurricane Ian last fall, processing over 830 trucks full of supplies, providing aid for almost 5 million people.

Carla Gammon, Federal Emergency Management Agency deputy associate administrator for logistics, center, and Julia Moline, FEMA deputy associate administrator for operations recovery, right, see the equipment used by the Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Expeditionary team during hurricane season, March 7, 2023. (Photo by Diana Dawa)

Carla Gammon, acting assistant administrator for FEMA Logistics explained that FEMA is always looking for more resources and more rapid deployment to respond to natural disaster and emergencies throughout the nation. Since lessons learned from Katrina, Gammon said their goal is to continue to improve the speed of response.

The DLA team, in lock-step with FEMA, is modernizing equipment and systems and updating instructions to increase response time as well. During their visit, the FEMA leaders toured the Eastern Distribution Center to see how DLA Distribution is capitalizing on automation to improve capabilities by more than 230%. In addition, they saw the expeditionary equipment used for FEMA mission assignments during hurricane season.