General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLogistics lesson
Problem- your house is on fire
Solution- there is a fire hydrant across the street. You happen to have a friend, 2 coffee cups, a roll of duct tape and a hose cut in 8 places.
What is the best way to get the fire out? Use the cups, running back and forth or try using the hose while your friend uses the tape to repair the hose?
Logistics is simply moving a needed thing from one place to another. What it is and the places are simply details. The key is the transport.
ffr
(22,671 posts)They have the equipment and means to do it all safely & effectively.
Fire hyrants require a large and possibly a special wrench to open and turn on, regardless of the fact that your eight piece hose more than likely won't connect to it nor will the two covfefe cups be able to receive water from it.
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)The two concepts are often only slightly related.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)Is meant to be illustrative; perhaps I should include a disclaimer
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)it's a really good idea to move your vehicles and other outside belongings away from the burning house to prevent them from being damaged as well. That will also help the fire department to gain access to the home for better firefighting.
A taped up hose isn't going to get much done, really. You could, though, check to see if your next door neighbor has a hose connected to an outdoor faucet and sprinkle the house with that, while you wait for the sirens to get closer.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)Had workers show up today, fuel for their truck and the road between you and them isn't washed out...
MineralMan
(146,329 posts)I was thinking about St. Paul, MN. I'm very unlikely to encounter a house fire in PR.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)People here can think in the abstract to consider the problems on the ground
The fact that the WH occupant has delayed and hindered aid does not change the fact the we have to deal with a nearly destroyed infrastructure.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Odd that many hypothetical scenarios reduce the myriad of potential solutions to only those convenient to a particular narrative.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)Supplies can be moved efficiently, inefficiently or both at the same time. If the option to do both is chosen, then one must decide how much effort is devoted to the inefficient method, taking away from utilizing more efficient means.
Kaleva
(36,341 posts)Using destroyers out of Norfolk to use as fast transports to get the most needed supplies and human aid down to Puerto Rico would not be the most efficient method but it could be used until harbors are repaired to allow merchant ships to dock and unload.
sarisataka
(18,770 posts)Airlift may be needed for especially inaccessible areas but to supply millions by air is fantasy. Repair of the MSRs and communications is critical.
Kaleva
(36,341 posts)Even if that is brought in by not the most efficient means.
B2G
(9,766 posts)sarisataka
(18,770 posts)To be an embarkation NCO. I was lucky enough to plan and execute a battalion movement to the ME.
While in S-3 I learned more about loading ships than I ever dreamt existed.