GSA supports life-saving care during hurricane relief efforts

When Hurricane Helene hit, it caused severe flooding at a North Carolina facility owned by the country's largest manufacturer of life-saving intravenous fluids.

The manufacturer, Baxter International, had to temporarily close, significantly reducing IV fluid shipments to hospitals across the nation. Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton wasn't too far behind Helene, once again threatening the Southeast.

In preparation for Milton, the General Services Administration and the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) worked together to address IV fluid supply chain issues and successfully moved needed supplies to a secure area before Milton hit land to avoid any further disruptions.

"One of GSA's strategic priorities is to help government agencies acquire goods and services on behalf of the American people," said GSA Federal Acquisition Service's Acting Commissioner Tom Howder. "The Travel, Transportation and Logistics team's rapid response and expertise once again provided essential support during national emergencies."

Working across government to protect the supply chain

ASPR took action and assessed the supply chain disruption. The ASPR team coordinated with B. Braun, the second-largest manufacturer of IV fluids in the U.S., to move its supply in Daytona Beach, Florida, to a lower-risk area to brace for Milton's potential impact.

Since GSA oversees the logistics management role under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster response under Emergency Support Function #7, GSA was their first stop.

GSA's Office of Travel, Transportation, and Logistics (TTL) worked with ASPR to mobilize transportation and storage for 60 truck loads of IV fluids from Daytona Beach to a UPS Healthcare warehouse in Durham, North Carolina.

ASPR's Acting Deputy Director at the Center for Industrial Base Management & Supply Chain Joe Hamel expressed deep gratitude for the critical partnership between our agencies.

"These actions prevented another significant supply chain disruption and had a positive impact on the ability for health systems to provide care in America," said Hamel. "This has been another great example of GSA and ASPR in action."

No request unanswered

TTL also manages resource support under ESF #7, including short-term vehicle rentals, procurement of forklifts and excavators for debris removal, oxygen tanks, and meals to support the team on the ground.

To accommodate displaced families and first responders, emergency lodging has been provided in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Beyond TTL's work, the GSA Office of General Supplies and Services' Personal Property Management team was able to facilitate over $3 million in donations of surplus property to affected communities.

PPM collaborates with the Department of Defense and other agencies to identify and distribute lists of surplus property and expedite the transfer and donation of those items to communities in need. Donated items included generators, laptops, tools, tarps, flashlights, vehicles, tents and water.

"Our Personal Property Management team leverages its long-term relationships with federal partners and state agencies to deliver in times of need. It's a reminder of why delivering for our customers when a disaster strikes is so important," said GSS Assistant Commissioner Erv Koehler.

The support GSA provides our federal partners before, during, and after natural disasters is just one way our agency serves the American public. As quickly as situations arise, we can all rest assured that GSA will answer the call with a swift, coordinated and effective response.

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