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Disasters can strain today’s logistics systems to the breaking point. The lack of a coordinated, consistent logistics strategy is a critical weakness in our nation’s ability to respond to and recover from disasters. Although our ability to manage resources during disasters has improved, existing procedures are still not standardized. The Universal Logistics Standard (ULS) provides a framework for managing disaster response among all levels of government and private sector personnel. The ULS was developed by the Regional Logistics Program, with oversight from the Regional Catastrophic Planning Team.

Strategies, Components and Tools

The ULS uses three core strategies: resource management, movement control and distribution management. These strategies are accomplished through four ULS components:


 * Logistics Center (LC):Integrates enhanced logistical functions into a local or state Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The LC receives and processes resource requests and conducts the resource management and movement control strategies.


 * Area Logistics Emergency Response Team(ALERT): Provides every jurisdiction in the region with trained logisticians who can deploy to support local EOCs and LCs. ALERT personnel provide rapid response support across jurisdictions.


 * Receiving and Distribution Center (RDC): A way station for resources that have been deployed but not yet assigned.


 * Commodity Point of Distribution (C-POD): The location where food, water and other critical supplies are distributed to the public.

The ULS also uses a number of tools to support the implementation of the core strategies: volunteer and donations management, credentialing, pre-scripted mission requests, logistics information management and database systems, field movement visibility and private sector integration.

The ULS is intended to be highly accessible and easy-to-use. Plans and guides detailing the ULS strategies, components and tools are available online at https://emergencylogistics.org/our-plans-guides/.

It is important that all jurisdictions adopt the ULS so that if and when disaster strikes, there will be a fully realized system in place to guide the logistics response. Through coordination today, we ensure we are better prepared to meet tomorrow’s demands, and prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.