Points of Distribution (POD) can be extremely beneficial in disaster situations. They can also create concerns during an operation in regards to transporting supplies, safety, security and finding an optimum site for establishing a POD.
Pick one area, either beneficial or detrimental; briefly explain how that would affect a disaster operation, and how you would improve upon the process.
here are 2 different answers plz paraphrase really good one
answer 1
Points of Distribution (POD) are temporary locations which are usually established to help before the basic services are restored fully in a given area which has been adversely affected by a disaster or any other emergency event. The POD enables the affected people to avail themselves and collect various life supportive commodities and basic essential supplies (Loree et al., 2018). They are established following an event when the resources and commercial infrastructure are no longer available to offer the needed support to the population affected. They are later closed when the commercial infrastructure is re-built, and the resources required are availed to support the affected people. The number of PODs required is dependent on the remaining population, remaining infrastructure and population jurisdiction capacity of distribution.
Points of Distribution can be extremely beneficial since it provides a well laid out plan for the distribution of essential amenities in case of an emergency occurrence. Some of the items that a proper POD system should accommodate include vehicle, mass transit traffic, and pedestrian. A well-planned POD will quickly identify the potential locations before setting it up, and the selected site will be by current population density in those areas (Loree et al., 2018). A review of the traffic patterns will help in enabling the affected people to use the shortest and most convenient route to reach the supplies, and it should not be a route which will cause a traffic jam.
With a proper and well-trained team, the supplies will reach the population within the shortest time possible. The POD manager coordinates the team throughout the entire process. With a proper set up of POD system, which includes identification of the ideal location, a well laid out design of the POD layout, adopting appropriate traffic patterns and working with a well-coordinated skilled team will help in achieving best results during disaster management.
References.
Loree, N., & Aros-Vera, F. (2018). Points of distribution location and inventory management model for Post-Disaster Humanitarian Logistics. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 116, 1-24.
Rafferty-Semon, P., Jarzembak, J., & Shanholtzer, J. (2017). Simulating complex community disaster preparedness: Collaboration
Answer 2
Points of distribution serve the role of housing temporary supplies as well as providing medications and inoculations during disasters. P.O.Ds are usually centralized locations where members of the public can pick up emergency supplies. The supplies include medications, water, and food (Christopher & Tatham, 2014). The distribution points can be beneficial in offering security, safety, and areas of storage for crucial supplies, in addition to offering a centralized pickup point where disaster victims pick up the much needed supplies.
Security is one of the detrimental aspects of P.O.D.’s, especially in areas where violence and incitements are common. During disasters, resources are often in short supplies, and therefore, victims of disasters may be attempted to break into the locations. Therefore, adequate security is required for staff and clients, and to ensure operation sustainability. The main challenge, therefore, is ensuring that a comprehensive set of security initiatives are implemented (CDC, 2016). The implementations should also recognize the doctrines, procedures, and policies of local law enforcement.
The first step in ensuring site security is making prior site security assessments to ensure that the POD is located in area that is safe and supportive to security functions. Response agencies should also work in conjunction with security agencies and uniformed law enforcement officers should have a physical presence in the location (CDC, 2016). Security surveillance systems in the form of cameras can also be considered in regions where heightened security is required.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Point of dispensing (POD) standards. April 2008.
Christopher, M., & Tatham, P. (Eds.). (2014). Humanitarian logistics: Meeting the challenge of preparing for and responding to disasters. Kogan Page Publishers.
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