Public Points of Distribution (PODs) are Essential for Life Sustaining Commodities
Preparing for emergencies during Hurricane Idalia and having the resources in place to restore the infrastructure in our community was only part of the plan for taking care of our citizens and returning to some sense of normalcy.
Commodities Points of Distribution (PODs) are essential for providing life sustaining commodities to our community. As Hurricane Idalia was leaving our immediate area, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was submerged in restoration planning. While personnel were still actively responding to emergency situations, the EOC was simultaneously activating the established POD and Volunteer Management plans to facilitate the recovery process. The POD plan includes providing needed items such as food, water and tarps that are essential for sustaining health and wellness. Working with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the first truckload of supplies was on site within 24 hours and pre-designated POD locations were being set up. Once supplies arrived the most critical element of the plan was to ensure they were effectively distributed to those affected by the storms. The Lowndes County EMA Director activated the Volunteer Management Plan and working with a representative for Georgia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD), CORE Relief was assigned to assist the City of Valdosta with managing the POD located at Five Points.
The first commodities began to be distributed on September 1st from the POD location at Five Points and was staffed with City of Valdosta employees. On September 2nd CORE arrived and George Hernandez Meija, Core Director of Emergency Operations assisted in managing the resources and distribution. In addition to the thousands of cases of bottled water and meals which were distributed from this location, hundreds of tarps and clean up kits were also provided to those most in need. According to Meija, over 8,921 total individuals were served either through direct distribution, deliveries and/or SNAP assistance. There were 3,838 cases of water, 8,601 Liquid IV packets, 870 hot meals, 1740 hygiene kits, 444 cleaning kits, and 249 tarps provided for our citizens. A true spirit of collaboration and cooperation was on full display as the Local Emergency Operations Plan was executed resulting in us being able to bring in the needed resources to our community in a timely manner immediately following the worst storm that our area has ever experienced.