We are always aware that we must prepare our homes and our families for the Hurricane Season.  We are reminded on TV, Newspapers, advertisements, etc… 

But what about our businesses? Are you ready with your Hurricane Plan?

WTDC has been providing Hurricane Season Logistics for many years.  We have containers of Generators currently in our Warehouse, we are receiving canned food and water for storage in the event of a Hurricane hitting somewhere near South Florida, the Caribbean and/or Central America.  In a few days we will also begin receiving Lumber and other supplies.  WTDC has a plan in the event a Hurricane is approaching...  Do You?

We offer Hurricane Preparedness consulting and assistance, and can help you develop a plan.

Just reach out to us at info@wtdc.com or 1-877-3PL-WTDC

Gary Goldfarb, Executive Vice President of WTDC, was interviewed by Nick Younker of the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA) for a Hurrricane Preparedness Logistics podcast.

Listen to the IDGA Podcast here

WTDC is a logistics and warehousing company that handles supply chain needs for the Private & Public Sectors. Mr. Goldfarb discusses hurricane and disaster logistics and comments on readiness for Hurricane Earl.  In the tense and frantic first few days of the Haiti disaster, Mr. Goldfarb and WTDC were working around the clock trying to get supplies in to the ravaged country.  Mr. Goldfarb has more than 35 years experience in international trade and supply chain management.  He also serves as The Chairman of the Supply Chain/Logistics committee for The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.

The Institute for Defense & Government Advancement (IDGA) : a division of IQPC, is a non-partisan information-based organization dedicated to the promotion of innovative ideas in public service and defense through live conferences and events. We bring together speaker panels and events comprised of military and government professionals while attracting delegates with decision-making power from military, government and defense industries.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management states that over 40% of businesses that close due to hurricanes never reopen. This official government site offers useful tips on how to protect your business and assistance resources:

http://www.floridadisaster.org/business/

The following tips come from Charles Irizarry, Project Manager and Developer for Decipher Labs, in Miami, FL. Decipher Labs specializes in designing and building internet applications, products, custom solutions and sites that are easy to use, efficient, and affordable.

UPSs for all computers and servers:
Short for uninterruptible power supply, a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event of a power outage. Typically, a UPS keeps a computer running for several minutes after a power outage, enabling you to save data that is in RAM and shut down the computer gracefully. Many UPSs now offer a software component that enables you to automate backup and shut down procedures in case there's a power failure while you're away from the computer. (content source: webopedia)

Outsource Backup Service:
Although I cannot currently recommend any, an off location back up service is ideal for any company (big or small). Backing up data within the same location the disaster might happen is not truly safe guarding your data.

Operating within a Virtual Cloud:
My entire company operates within a virtual cloud. Software and system development is done within a Virtual Server Cloud. So that employees can work at the office, from home, or at a temporary location for whatever reason. The point is, they can continue to work from anywhere. The other part of the business (documents, contracts, email, file sharing, project management) is done within the Google Business Cloud. So upper management and project managers can also work from wherever and whenever. If our building caved in, then we can work from home or at a temporary location until a new office is found, without any major interruption.

In Miami, businesses are preparing for a potentially record breaking storm season by stockpiling inventories for a quick response. “Miami has always been the hub for emergency response, and this year companies are prepositioning more relief supplies than last year,” said Ralph L. Gazitúa, President & CEO of WTDC, one of Miami’s leading Supply Chain Management providers. 

“We have already received shipping containers with hundreds of generators, prepositioned for quick deployment to distributors,” said Gazitúa. “We are scheduled to receive many containers of water and canned goods in the coming weeks and have developed a program for handling Hurricane Preparedness Response,” he added.  “We are working with our customers to develop contingency plans in case of any emergency. Our headquarters warehouse in Doral has the storage capacity and receiving docks needed to the handle the demands of deploying disaster relief.”

Read the full Press Release here

Hurricanes and floods can call for evacuations and seriously disrupt basic utilities, causing shortages at the gas pump grocery store. Be prepared for any emergency by assembling a disaster kit with items like water, flashlights, canned food, and blankets. Click below for a full list:

http://gohsep.la.gov/factsheets/disasterkit.htm