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Press Release
For Immediate Release
#15-20
TRACKING THE NATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN: FROM FIRST TO LAST MILE
NYC Emergency Management coordinates with local, state, federal, and private partners to identify supply chain disruptions
May 6, 2020 -- The current COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to the nation’s supply chain. As the country continues to experience the impacts of COVID-19, protecting our supply chain has to remain a priority. Supply chains are complex systems that involve multiple stakeholders from varying industries with the goal of sourcing, producing, and moving goods from origin to destination. To avoid current and future supply constraints, New York City is working with local, state, federal, and private partners to identify both current and likely shortages to inform decision-makers and coordinate mitigation strategies.
The tracking of the nation’s supply chain is a challenging endeavor, especially during large-scale emergencies. To ensure the City is staying abreast of rapidly changing situations, it is important that agencies coordinate and pool their resources, including contacts in the federal government and private sector.
Erika Amaya, public private analyst at NYC Emergency Management, has worked around-the-clock to track the local supply chain, sharing resources and data with partner agencies including the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The team works with private sector partners to gather information from a host of essential industries including food producers, manufacturers, medical suppliers, and freight companies. Though the team is tasked with tracking the City’s entire supply chain, they understand food accessibility remains a top priority.
Much of the groups’ discussions focus on providing up-to-date supply chain information to mitigate disruptions to GetFood NYC, the City’s food distribution programs. Under the programs, food insecure New Yorkers can receive free Grab and Go meals at NYC Department of Education sites throughout the City. The City also works with for-hire vehicles to deliver prepared meals to vulnerable New Yorkers through the NYC Food Delivery Assistance program. The programs, led by Kathryn Garcia, commissioner of DSNY and the City’s food czar, have already provided millions of meals to food insecure residents throughout all five boroughs.
Though the City is working to monitor and mitigate supply chain issues locally, the reality is supply chain disruptions anywhere in the country can drastically affect how food gets to New York City.
“The food supply chain is complex and relies on multiple industries to be resilient. Most of New York City’s food sources come from outside the boundaries of the five boroughs and so our ‘first
mile to last mile’ approach allows us to understand what’s going on at each source before an issue manifests itself here in the city” Amaya said.
One of the tools the City utilizes to gain insight into the national supply chain is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Supply Chain Analysis Network (SCAN). SCAN is a network of researchers and practitioners focused on tracking the nation’s supply chain for potential disruptions. The data collected is crucial because it provides situational awareness to localities and notifies federal agencies of the potential need to take action.
“Sourcing reliable information is an ongoing challenge, but our state and federal partners provide much needed insight into other jurisdictions so we can make informed policies as they relate to feeding New Yorkers,” Amaya said.
While local governments cannot control national supply chains, their role in mitigating potential impacts to their localities is essential. Last month, after concern over possible closures of nearby rest stops, NYC Emergency Management, NYC Economic Development Corporation and the NYC Department of Transportation converted spaces into temporary rest areas to support long-haul truckers, a crucial piece to the City’s supply chain. The temporary rest areas include portable bathrooms, mobile lights, trashcans, and a security patrol, and allow truck drivers to take their federally mandated rest in a safe and secure location. The sites are located near critical parts of the food distribution system: at Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx, the largest food distribution hub in New York state, and Global Container Terminal NY in Staten Island, the largest container port in New York state.
Another vital part of securing the City’s food supply chain is protecting our supermarkets. Ensuring supermarkets can remain open to serve their communities is essential to keeping food on the tables of New Yorkers. Whether it is connecting them with businesses that provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or notifying them of potential food shortages, the City is working with local supermarkets to provide information and connect them with resources to ensure their employees can remain safe and their stores stay open.
“Our role within the Public Private Initiatives Unit is to meet the needs of businesses during an emergency and connect them with the necessary resources, Amaya said. “The City continues to work to connect grocers and other essential food sector business owners with businesses manufacturing personal protective equipment.”
Identifying potential issues in the supply chain not only help decision makers develop mitigation strategies, but is a vital tool in communicating with the public. The ability to provide consistent communication to the public is key. With the proper information, officials can effectively message about potential shortages or items residents should stock up on before they become limited. To ensure the viability of the City’s supply chain we must have an eye toward the future, preparing for all uncertainties. Keeping an eye on what is happening nationally will help us make key decisions locally.
“A decision made by one producer or city or state can have ripple effects that might not be seen immediately,” Amaya said. “With the help of our federal partners, the City will continue to keep a watchful eye on the nation’s supply chain.”
#15-20
TRACKING THE NATIONAL SUPPLY CHAIN: FROM FIRST TO LAST MILE
NYC Emergency Management coordinates with local, state, federal, and private partners to identify supply chain disruptions
May 6, 2020 -- The current COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to the nation’s supply chain. As the country continues to experience the impacts of COVID-19, protecting our supply chain has to remain a priority. Supply chains are complex systems that involve multiple stakeholders from varying industries with the goal of sourcing, producing, and moving goods from origin to destination. To avoid current and future supply constraints, New York City is working with local, state, federal, and private partners to identify both current and likely shortages to inform decision-makers and coordinate mitigation strategies.
The tracking of the nation’s supply chain is a challenging endeavor, especially during large-scale emergencies. To ensure the City is staying abreast of rapidly changing situations, it is important that agencies coordinate and pool their resources, including contacts in the federal government and private sector.
Erika Amaya, public private analyst at NYC Emergency Management, has worked around-the-clock to track the local supply chain, sharing resources and data with partner agencies including the New York City Economic Development Corporation and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The team works with private sector partners to gather information from a host of essential industries including food producers, manufacturers, medical suppliers, and freight companies. Though the team is tasked with tracking the City’s entire supply chain, they understand food accessibility remains a top priority.
Much of the groups’ discussions focus on providing up-to-date supply chain information to mitigate disruptions to GetFood NYC, the City’s food distribution programs. Under the programs, food insecure New Yorkers can receive free Grab and Go meals at NYC Department of Education sites throughout the City. The City also works with for-hire vehicles to deliver prepared meals to vulnerable New Yorkers through the NYC Food Delivery Assistance program. The programs, led by Kathryn Garcia, commissioner of DSNY and the City’s food czar, have already provided millions of meals to food insecure residents throughout all five boroughs.
Though the City is working to monitor and mitigate supply chain issues locally, the reality is supply chain disruptions anywhere in the country can drastically affect how food gets to New York City.
“The food supply chain is complex and relies on multiple industries to be resilient. Most of New York City’s food sources come from outside the boundaries of the five boroughs and so our ‘first
mile to last mile’ approach allows us to understand what’s going on at each source before an issue manifests itself here in the city” Amaya said.
One of the tools the City utilizes to gain insight into the national supply chain is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Supply Chain Analysis Network (SCAN). SCAN is a network of researchers and practitioners focused on tracking the nation’s supply chain for potential disruptions. The data collected is crucial because it provides situational awareness to localities and notifies federal agencies of the potential need to take action.
“Sourcing reliable information is an ongoing challenge, but our state and federal partners provide much needed insight into other jurisdictions so we can make informed policies as they relate to feeding New Yorkers,” Amaya said.
The temporary rest area provides long-haul truck drivers the space to safely rest near Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in Bronx, NY.
While local governments cannot control national supply chains, their role in mitigating potential impacts to their localities is essential. Last month, after concern over possible closures of nearby rest stops, NYC Emergency Management, NYC Economic Development Corporation and the NYC Department of Transportation converted spaces into temporary rest areas to support long-haul truckers, a crucial piece to the City’s supply chain. The temporary rest areas include portable bathrooms, mobile lights, trashcans, and a security patrol, and allow truck drivers to take their federally mandated rest in a safe and secure location. The sites are located near critical parts of the food distribution system: at Hunts Point Food Distribution Center in the Bronx, the largest food distribution hub in New York state, and Global Container Terminal NY in Staten Island, the largest container port in New York state.
Another vital part of securing the City’s food supply chain is protecting our supermarkets. Ensuring supermarkets can remain open to serve their communities is essential to keeping food on the tables of New Yorkers. Whether it is connecting them with businesses that provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or notifying them of potential food shortages, the City is working with local supermarkets to provide information and connect them with resources to ensure their employees can remain safe and their stores stay open.
The temporary rest area provides long-haul truck drivers the space to safely rest near the Global Container Terminal in Staten Island, NY.
“Our role within the Public Private Initiatives Unit is to meet the needs of businesses during an emergency and connect them with the necessary resources, Amaya said. “The City continues to work to connect grocers and other essential food sector business owners with businesses manufacturing personal protective equipment.”
Identifying potential issues in the supply chain not only help decision makers develop mitigation strategies, but is a vital tool in communicating with the public. The ability to provide consistent communication to the public is key. With the proper information, officials can effectively message about potential shortages or items residents should stock up on before they become limited. To ensure the viability of the City’s supply chain we must have an eye toward the future, preparing for all uncertainties. Keeping an eye on what is happening nationally will help us make key decisions locally.
“A decision made by one producer or city or state can have ripple effects that might not be seen immediately,” Amaya said. “With the help of our federal partners, the City will continue to keep a watchful eye on the nation’s supply chain.”