Master Disaster Planning at Oct. 25-26 Summit

Posted August 4, 2016 at 6:58 pm

Click Here for More Information or to Register

Multiple presentations that will deliver guidelines for planning textile services business continuation following major disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, will highlight the agenda of TRSA’s Production Summit and Plant Tours, Oct. 25-26 at Harrah’s New Orleans. As memories of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina linger in the city, the “Big Easy” is a fitting backdrop for discussions that will feature local officials and launderers providing firsthand accounts as to the importance of preparing for the worst.

Attendees will see how two laundry operations in the area are equipped and organized in this respect as the program includes visits to nearby Starr Textile Services, a linen supplier and dry cleaner for hotels, and TLC Services, which serves largely food and beverage (F&B) customers.

Chief among the Summit sessions will be a facilitated Tabletop Exercise in which attendees will split into small groups. Each will confront a hypothetical, industry-specific disaster scenario. Groups will envision solutions to minimize economic damage from the misfortune and rebuild the physical plant. Participants’ crisis-response skills will be tested as new information regarding the scenario is presented later in the session.

Not only will this simulation call on attendees to address surprise challenges, it will offer opportunities to work closely with industry colleagues, a plus for peer networking. The exercise promises to be a no-fault, creative and fun discussion environment. Participants will learn best practices that will be invaluable when needed.

Facilitating the exercise will be Andrew Sachs of DCMC Partners, Freeport, ME. An expert in identifying and prioritizing recovery needs in the wake of disasters, Sachs is a trusted advisor to government and corporate executives. He supports their efforts at the state, national and corporate levels to address complex public policy and operational challenges related to economic and physical recovery. He’s secured and managed billions in recovery funding on behalf of clients.

Recent disasters in which he’s had a leading public role include:

  • Deepwater Horizon oil spill (2011)
  • Superstorm Sandy (2011)
  • Midwest Floods of 2008
  • Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (2005)
     

Sachs’ more recent high-profile roles have been with private-sector organizations in consultation with public officials. Previously he held leadership posts at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), heading program outreach as well as serving as a special assistant in the Response and Recovery Directorate.

Besides the Tabletop Exercise, other sessions offering advice on contending with catastrophes include:

  • Disaster Plan Case Study
  • Disaster Planning Considerations
  • Disaster Recovery First-Hand Accounts (Panel)
  • Public Safety Perspectives (Opening Session)
     

Following the plant tours on Wednesday, Oct. 26, Production Summit attendees are welcome to participate in TRSA’s Maintenance Management Institute (MMI), also at Harrah’s New Orleans, that concludes Friday. MMI brings launderers up to speed on best practices for prediction, prevention and repair of machinery that engineers and other specialists use to minimize downtime and maximize equipment life. Discussions cover technical topics and explore management and leadership style issues, including:

  • 5S Methodology to Organize Your Work Space
  • Boilers: Basic Operations and New Technologies 
  • Computer Networking Basics
  • Dealing with Difficult Employees
  • Electric Arc Flash
  • Preventive Maintenance with Minimal Resources
  • Safety for Maintenance Management
     

Also on the MMI agenda is an optional tour of laundry machinery maker Pellerin Milnor Corp., a leading equipment supplier based in the New Orleans area.

Click here or on the link above for more information or to register. A registration discount is available for attending both the Summit and MMI.

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