Issue link: http://psai.uberflip.com/i/1289192
ASSOCIATIONINSIGHT Portable Sanitation Association International News BIWEEKLY EDITION SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 Page 8 Continued on page 11 JW Craft also sends hurricane preparedness reminder information with their invoices in January, March, and June. Social media is also incorporated into these reminder statements. Jennifer states that FEMA and local municipalities are the organizations the company works with to secure contracts. These agreements are usually in place for one to three years so, again, your company must be aware of the costs before entering into an agreement. Three major components of JW Craft's plan are: • Inventory preparation • Deployment • Staffing "Inventory preparation is very straight forward in our plan," states Jennifer. "We designate portable restroom units, trailers—both restroom and shower—as well as sinks and trucks." She reminds us that "all equipment needs to be prepped and ready to go at a moment's notice." Jennifer emphasizes that, "Deployment is another key ingredient in our plan. We deploy 72 hours before landfall to strategic locations, and then immediately after the storm passes when it is safe for the community to resume operations we get to work." By being positioned in strategic locations, JW Craft can begin to provide portable sanitation equipment as soon as possible in the affected areas. Staffing is another crucial element in this operator's hurricane preparedness plan. Staff members are assigned in shifts based on the storm's anticipated severity, taking into account whether employees will be available due to their own preparatory activities, or even whether the office itself must be closed. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of an up-to-date emergency contact list that all employees always have with them. Another consideration in staffing is what Jennifer describes as "work bubbles." This is the situation where employees must stay on site at a disaster location to provide service. Staffing is key in these situations. Finally, Jennifer shares a few important precautions in these disaster situations. "Be aware of 'storm chasers.' These are companies from outside your area who try to secure the business in your area then subcontract to the local portable restroom operators." By staying in contact with her potential customers through reminder notices and training opportunities, JW Craft is well positioned to avoid being usurped by companies that are not always the best reflection on our industry. She offers one other warning: Beware of price gouging! "It is illegal and another potentially bad reflection on our industry," she remarks. Jennifer's advice is to "call the necessary authorities" if you hear of or witness extreme pricing. Tips for Effective Operations around Natural Disasters…continued from page 4 In 2017, Armal sent 28 shower units in two days. One load of units being deployed before Irma hit. A unit being rescued from a canal.