Episode 2 - The Ripple Effect of Natural Disasters to the Supply Chain with Steve Armstrong

Host Bryndis Whitson welcomes Steve Armstrong, a leadership expert with a career that spans the Canadian military, Canadian Red Cross, and many areas in between, to the show. Bryndis and Steve talk about military and emergency preparedness and how that fits in with supply chain logistics. Steve Armstrong’s experience with September 9/11 terrorist response, flood response, and military endeavors sheds much light on how supply chain is an integral part of emergency assistance.

Bryndis and Steve discuss the complexities of even something as seemingly simple as getting food rations, enough for 3 meals per day for 40 soldiers, to where the soldiers are stationed. Behind every soldier, Steve says, is an estimated 3 people in administration and logistics ensuring supplies flow smoothly. They talk about emergency response and the intricacies of not just getting help in but getting debris out and where to put it. There are many things to consider in the wake of a natural disaster in terms of the logistics of assistance. But Steve also stresses that at the end of every logistics problem is a real person impacted by a terrible circumstance and why keeping them in mind is so key. This episode demonstrates the ripple effect of supply chain during crisis events and how everything is tied together.