We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » pandemic planning isn't for the birds!
newsworthy

pandemic planning isn't for the birds!

February 1, 2007
DC Velocity Staff
No Comments

What would you do if nearly half your labor force couldn't show up for work? That was the question addressed in a recent live teleconference sponsored by the Transportation Marketing & Communications Association. In the event of an avian flu or other pandemic, organizations could face absentee rates of up to 40 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"I'm reminded how chilling this could be for the business community if this does come to pass," said Randy Mullett, vice president of government affairs for Con-way Inc. Mullett was joined by Lisa Koonin of the CDC to lead the teleconference, which was titled "Operating Your Company in a Pandemic: It All Starts With Communication."

Although a flu pandemic has yet to hit the United States, Koonin advised businesses to begin planning for a crisis now. Businesses will play a key role in protecting employees' health and safety as well as limiting the impact on the economy and society as a whole. "You can't turn your shoulder," said Koonin. "You must do everything you can to fight it."

Con-way Inc., a $ 4.2 billion freight transportation and logistics company, may be ahead of most when it comes to planning for an outbreak. It established a cross-functional pandemic task force over a year ago. It now has a preparedness plan in place for protecting its employees, business, customers and shareholders. "We realized the downside was enormous and it was irresponsible to do nothing,"Mullett said. "On the upside, we discovered it didn't cost a lot to do, plus we discovered many unanticipated benefits that we can leverage in our day-to-day operations."

Con-way's pandemic preparedness plan is based on six key directives:

  • Identify critical operations personnel and their backups, and develop contingency plans for personnel replacement.
  • Create a detailed communications plan and structure.
  • Establish operating protocols to properly secure facilities and protect customer freight.
  • Establish and maintain emergency transportation resources to support dissemination of critical medical supplies to key constituents.
  • Ensure that every Con-way location has adequate stocks of antiinfection and health maintenance supplies to protect employees. Adapt or amend benefit plans to facilitate fast and efficient access for employees.
  • Ensure employees are adequately supported and are able to access local medical care in the event of infection.

Koonin said she hopes the transportation industry follows Con-way's lead and takes a proactive approach. "There will be transportation issues," she said, "and I encourage all businesses to take action now." For a list of available resources, including a Pandemic Checklist for Business, visit www.pandemicflu.gov and www.cdc.gov/business.

Transportation Trucking Business Management & Finance
  • Related Articles

    the race isn't over …

    The Logistics Matters podcast: The pandemic spawns new sustainability standards; risk mitigation gets a fresh look; supply chains brace for a vaccine rollout | Season 1 Episode 23

    IronPlanet Produces "eBay to Excavators - Planning for Profit in the Digital Age" -- A Webinar for H

Recent Articles by DC Velocity Staff

U.S. Xpress makes “significant investment” in self-driving tech vendor

Truckload carrier predicts challenging year ahead for industry

Train kept a rollin’

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Cold chain giant Lineage Logistics buys its own rail operator

  • Outlook 2021: What’s in store for logistics supply chain?

  • Cushman & Wakefield Brokers Sale of 170 Acres plus Lease for 1MSF Build-to-Suit for Home Improvement Retailer in Commerce City, CO.

  • Biden names dozens of senior leaders to DOT, including FMCSA and FRA

  • Thriving in the long haul: interview with Colin Yankee

Now Playing on DCV-TV

2mw 01 18 21 thumb

LTL Carriers Using Yield Management Techniques to Identify New Accessorial Charges

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
As we head into 2021, shippers are not too optimistic about negotiating rates with their carriers. The reason for this, as highlighted in the three CODE RED Webcasts we've hosted with our friends from CSCMP and NASSTRAC, is that in today's transportation marketplace, shippers are operating in uncharted waters. With...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Proven Benefits: A Compendium of Slotting Optimization Success Snapshots

  • Bridging Information Gaps in Dock and Yard Operations

  • How Intelligent Sensor Solutions Turn Data Into Action

  • Order picking Solutions: Understanding Your Options

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing