THIS IS A TRAINING OPERATION ORDER. FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.
References: ATP 3-28, ATP 4-02.5, FM 4-01, FEMA POD Operations Guide
OPERATIONAL PLAN / ORDER #012 / CODE NAME: "HURRICANE DELTA POD OPS"
CADRE / OPFOR NOTES
Complexity: Moderate | Recommended Phase: WALK (Blocks 2-3), RUN (Day/Night Iterations)
Mission Summary: A Company establishes and operates multiple Points of Distribution (PODs) in Bay County to distribute emergency supplies to affected civilians. 1st Platoon is tasked to operate POD Site ALPHA.
Training Focus: This is a COMPANY-LEVEL OPORD. Candidates receive this order as the 1st Platoon Leader and must conduct TLP to plan their platoon's POD operations. Focus areas include site organization, traffic flow, supply management, personnel allocation, and contingency planning for civilian interactions.
Evaluation Timeline: Candidates will receive this OPORD and have 75 minutes to complete TLP Steps 1-8. Candidates will brief their platoon order to cadre. This is a planning exercise only.
Training Wrinkles (for candidate planning consideration):
- Supplies running low before scheduled resupply.
- Aggressive or desperate civilians.
- Civilians without vehicles (walk-up requests).
- Media presence requesting interviews.
- Local officials requesting priority distribution.
- Medical emergencies at the POD site.
- Requests exceeding distribution limits.
- Language barriers with non-English speakers.
- Rumors causing crowd surges.
- Vehicle breakdown blocking distribution lane.
- Other agencies arriving to coordinate.
NOTE: This is a DSCA operation. Security awareness is important due to supplies and stressed population, but there is no enemy threat.
CLASSIFICATION: UNCLASSIFIED // FOR TRAINING USE ONLY
ISSUING HEADQUARTERS: A Company, 4th Battalion, 211th Infantry Regiment
Time Zone Used Throughout the Plan/Order: EASTERN STANDARD TIME
Task Organization:
A Company, 4th BN-211th INF
- Company Headquarters (Bay County Staging Area)
- 1st Platoon (POD Site ALPHA - Panama City High School)
- 2nd Platoon (POD Site BRAVO - Lynn Haven Community Center)
- 3rd Platoon (Resupply/QRF)
1st Platoon Task Organization:
- Platoon Leader (Command Post)
- Platoon Sergeant (Distribution Point Supervisor)
- 1st Squad (Distribution Team #1)
- 2nd Squad (Distribution Team #2)
- 3rd Squad (Traffic Control/Site Security)
Attached:
- 3x LMTV (initial supply load)
- 1x HMMWV (command/control)
1. SITUATION
a. Area of Interest
Bay County, Florida. Hurricane DELTA made landfall 72-96 hours ago. Emergency supplies have arrived at the Bay County Staging Area. PODs are being established throughout the affected area to provide relief supplies directly to civilians.
b. Area of Operations
1. Terrain. POD Site ALPHA is located at Panama City High School, featuring a large parking lot suitable for drive-through operations. The site has defined entry points from the main road and exit to secondary streets. Surrounding area is residential with significant hurricane damage.
- Key Terrain: POD Site ALPHA (decisive terrain), entry control point on main road, parking lot distribution lanes, exit routes, covered areas for supply staging.
2. Weather. Post-hurricane conditions:
- Skies: ________
- Temperature: ____°F (heat cat ____)
- Humidity: ___%
- Winds: ____ at ____ mph
- Chance of precipitation: ____%
- BMNT: ____
- Sunrise: ____
- Sunset: ____
- EENT: ____
Heat casualties are a concern for both Soldiers and civilians.
c. Civil Considerations
Civilians in Bay County are stressed—many have been without adequate food, water, or ice for 3-4 days. Expect high demand and emotional civilians. Media may be present. Other relief organizations may be operating nearby.
1. Expected Demand: POD Site ALPHA is expected to serve 500-1000 households during operational hours.
2. Population Characteristics: Diverse population including elderly, families with children, disabled individuals, non-English speakers. Some may be aggressive or desperate.
3. Special Considerations:
- Elderly/disabled may have mobility limitations
- Some households may have special medical needs (insulin requiring ice)
- Large families or group homes may request additional supplies
- Walk-up civilians (no vehicle) will need accommodation
d. Friendly Forces
1. Higher Headquarters: 4th BN, 211th INF, supporting Florida National Guard Joint Task Force – Hurricane DELTA.
2. Battalion Mission. 4th Battalion conducts humanitarian assistance operations in Bay County to provide relief supplies to affected civilians.
3. Battalion Commander's Intent. Distribute supplies fairly and efficiently to maximize the number of households served. Treat all civilians with dignity and respect. Maintain accountability of supplies. Report issues to enable timely resupply.
4. Adjacent Units:
- B Company: Operating POD sites in eastern Bay County
- C Company: Security operations
- County Emergency Management: Coordinating overall relief effort
e. Attachments and Detachments
3x LMTV with initial supply load attached to 1st Platoon for POD Site ALPHA operations.
2. MISSION
A Company establishes and operates Points of Distribution at designated locations in Bay County NLT ____ to distribute emergency relief supplies to affected civilians in support of Hurricane DELTA relief operations.
3. EXECUTION
a. Commander's Intent
Purpose: Distribute emergency relief supplies to civilians affected by Hurricane DELTA, providing immediate assistance and demonstrating effective military support to civil authorities.
Key Tasks: (1) Establish POD sites at designated locations. (2) Distribute supplies fairly and efficiently using drive-through method. (3) Maintain supply accountability. (4) Treat all civilians with dignity and respect.
End State: POD sites operational, maximum number of households served, supply accountability maintained, company prepared for sustained operations.
b. Concept of Operations
A Company operates two POD sites in Bay County. 1st Platoon operates POD Site ALPHA at Panama City High School as the main effort. 2nd Platoon operates POD Site BRAVO at Lynn Haven Community Center. 3rd Platoon conducts resupply runs from the staging area and serves as QRF. Each POD uses the drive-through distribution method with traffic control at entry, multiple distribution lanes, and controlled exit. PODs operate during designated hours or until supplies are depleted. Resupply is coordinated through the Company TOC when supplies reach 25% remaining.
c. Scheme of Fires
Not applicable (DSCA operation).
d. Tasks to Subordinate Units
1st Platoon (POD Site ALPHA — Main Effort):
- TASK: Establish and operate POD Site ALPHA at Panama City High School. Set up traffic flow with a single entry control point, minimum two distribution lanes, and a single exit to prevent return traffic. Distribute emergency supplies (water, ice, MREs, tarps) per household limits. Maintain supply accountability using tally sheets with hourly reports to Company TOC. Request resupply when at 25% remaining. Establish a walk-up area for civilians without vehicles. Transition or close POD on order.
- PURPOSE: Serve the maximum number of affected households in the Panama City area while maintaining accountability and order.
Distribution Limits (per household):
- Water: 1 case (24 bottles)
- Ice: 2 bags (if available)
- MREs: 1 case (12 meals)
- Tarps: 1 (if available)
Site Layout Requirements:
- Single entry point with traffic control
- Holding/queue area
- Minimum 2 distribution lanes
- Single exit (prevent return traffic)
- Command post
- Supply staging area
- Walk-up area (if established)
2nd Platoon (POD Site BRAVO):
- TASK: Establish and operate POD Site BRAVO at Lynn Haven Community Center using same procedures and distribution limits as POD Site ALPHA.
- PURPOSE: Extend distribution coverage to the Lynn Haven area so the company serves both major population centers.
3rd Platoon (Resupply / QRF):
- TASK: Conduct resupply runs from Bay County Staging Area to POD sites as requested. Serve as Quick Reaction Force to support POD operations (crowd control, medical emergency, vehicle recovery).
- PURPOSE: Keep distribution lanes supplied so neither POD runs out, and provide emergency response so POD personnel can stay focused on distribution.
f. Coordinating Instructions
1. Distribution Procedures:
- Greet civilian at distribution point
- Verify household (honor system—no ID required)
- Issue supplies according to limits
- Mark tally sheet
- Direct to exit
2. Special Situations:
- Large families (6+): May issue additional water and MREs (PL discretion)
- Group homes/shelters: Coordinate with PSG for bulk distribution
- Walk-up civilians: Serve in separate area; reduced allocation (what can be carried)
- Returning vehicles: Note but do not confront; report pattern to PL
- Special medical needs: PL discretion for additional ice (insulin, etc.)
3. Civilian Interaction:
- Be professional, courteous, and patient
- Explain distribution limits clearly and calmly
- Do NOT argue—refer complaints to PL/PSG
- If civilian becomes aggressive, do not escalate; call for assistance
- Treat all civilians with dignity regardless of behavior
4. Media Interaction:
- Be professional and continue duties
- Refer all interview requests to PL
- Do not speculate or provide unofficial information
- PL coordinates media through Company TOC
5. Medical Emergencies:
- Stop distribution in affected area
- Provide first aid if trained
- Call 911 if available; request support from Company TOC
- Designate Soldier to meet emergency responders
- Resume operations when safe
6. Supply Accountability:
- Initial inventory upon receipt
- Tally sheets at each distribution point
- Hourly status reports to Company TOC
- End of day inventory
7. Reporting Requirements:
- POD Operational: When site setup complete
- Hourly Status: Households served, supply levels, issues
- Resupply Request: When supplies reach 25% remaining
- Incident Report: Security, medical, or significant events
- End of Day: Total distributed, remaining supplies, issues
8. Coordination with Other Agencies:
- Other agencies (Red Cross, FEMA, churches) may arrive
- Be professional and cooperative
- Coordinate through PL
- Do not combine distribution operations without Company approval
9. POD Operating Hours:
- Setup complete: NLT ____
- Distribution begins: ____
- Distribution ends: ____ (or when supplies depleted)
- Site transition/closure: On order
10. This OPORD is effective upon receipt.
4. SUSTAINMENT
a. Logistics
- Initial Supply Load: 3x LMTV (water, ice, MREs, tarps). Detailed manifest provided separately.
- Resupply: Request through Company TOC when at 25% remaining.
- Soldier Sustainment: MREs and water from separate supply (NOT distribution stock).
- Fuel: Vehicles maintain half tank minimum.
- Equipment: Traffic cones, signs, tables, tally sheets, markers.
b. Health System Support
- First aid kit at command post.
- CLS on site.
- Shade and water for Soldiers (heat casualty prevention).
- Civilian medical emergency: Stabilize, call 911, report to Company TOC.
5. COMMAND AND SIGNAL
a. Command
- Company Commander at Bay County Staging Area.
- 1st Platoon Leader commands POD Site ALPHA.
- Succession of Command (1st Platoon): PL, PSG, 1st SL, 2nd SL, 3rd SL.
b. Control
- Company TOC: Bay County Staging Area
- POD Site ALPHA CP: Central location within site
c. Signal
1. PACE Plan:
- Primary: Company Command Net (FH NET ID 601)
- Alternate: Cell phone
- Contingency: FM 47000 single channel
- Emergency: Runner to staging area
2. Call Signs:
- Company Commander – Gator 6
- 1st PL (POD ALPHA) – Gator 1-6
- 1st PSG – Gator 1-7
- Distribution Team #1 – Gator 1-1
- Distribution Team #2 – Gator 1-2
- Traffic Control – Gator 1-3
3. Internal POD Signals:
- Hand signals for traffic control
- Whistle: 1 blast = attention; 3 blasts = emergency/stop operations
- Runner for non-urgent internal coordination
ANNEX A: POD SITE LAYOUT
MAIN ROAD
|
[ENTRY CONTROL POINT]
|
v
+--[HOLDING AREA / VEHICLE QUEUE]--+
| |
| [DIST [DIST |
| LANE 1] LANE 2] |
| | | |
| v v |
| +------+ +------+ |
| |SUPPLY| |SUPPLY| |
| +------+ +------+ |
| |
| [COMMAND POST] |
| |
| [SUPPLY STAGING AREA] |
| [LMTV PARKING] |
| |
+-------[EXIT LANE]----------------+
|
v
SECONDARY ROAD
[WALK-UP AREA] - Separate from vehicle traffic
ANNEX B: TALLY SHEET FORMAT
| Time | Water (cases) | Ice (bags) | MREs (cases) | Tarps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hourly Summary:
- Households served: ____
- Supplies issued: Water ___ / Ice ___ / MRE ___ / Tarp ___
- Issues: ____
ANNEX C: 1ST PLATOON PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS
The Platoon Leader should address the following during TLP:
1. Site Organization:
- Entry point location and traffic control plan
- Queue/holding area capacity and management
- Distribution lane layout (number, positioning)
- Exit route (prevent return traffic)
- Command post location
- Supply staging area
- Walk-up area (if applicable)
2. Personnel Allocation:
- Traffic control team composition and positions
- Distribution teams composition and responsibilities
- Command post staffing
- Relief/rotation plan
- Reserve for contingencies
3. Supply Management:
- Initial inventory procedures
- Tally sheet procedures and responsibilities
- Resupply trigger point (when to request)
- End of day accountability
4. Contingency Planning:
- Crowd surge procedures
- Aggressive civilian procedures
- Medical emergency procedures
- Supply depletion procedures (what to tell civilians)
- Weather contingency (lightning, severe heat)
- Vehicle blocking distribution lane
5. Communications:
- Internal communication plan (within POD)
- External reporting schedule
- Media interaction procedures
6. Transition/Closure:
- Criteria for closure (supplies depleted, ordered, end of hours)
- Procedures for informing waiting civilians
- Site cleanup/security
- Final reporting