Describe the current condition of facilities.Ascertain whether the airport is fully operational. Daylight hours only?Furnish information on usable runway lengths and location(s).Determine whether taxiways, parking areas, and cargo handling areas are intact.Establish whether runway and approach lights are operating.Specify which navigational aids are operating.Describe available communications facilities.Determine whether the terminal building is operating.Check the availability and cost of aviation fuel.Find out if facilities exist for mandatory aircrew rest.Explore whether the cargo handling area can be lit for night cargo operations.Determine what cargo handling equipment is available, including fuel and operators:
Forklifts (number, capacity).Scissors lift (capacity).Cargo dollies (number).Trucks with drivers and laborers for hand unloading.
Determine what startup equipment is available, including fuel and operators.Describe maintenance operations (facilities, personnel, hours).Outline what storage is available:
Covered?At the airport? Off airport? How far?Capacity and suitability for storage of foods or other perishables?
Find out whether arrangements can be made for prompt overflight and landing clearances.Ascertain that the air controller service is functioning.Specify working hours for airport personnel.Explore having "no objections" fees or "royalty" fees waived or paid locally.Find out if arrangements can be made to work around the clock, including customs.Identify personnel to tally and document cargo when received and transshipped.Ascertain that the host government will accept deliveries by means of military as well as civil aircraft.Describe security arrangements.Determine what repairs and/or auxiliary equipment would be needed to increase airport capacity. How soon can local authorities be expected to restore service?Determine if any local air carriers exist and what their availability and rates are.
Identify any usable airports or suitable helicopter landing sites in the disaster zone.Determine the local availability and cost of helicopters and/ or fixed wing aircraft.Estimate their capacity.Identify the owners/agents.Determine the availability and cost of fuel.
Name and location.Current description of the condition of the facilities.Whether the port is fully operational. Daylight hours only?Security fences/facilities.Percentage of port losses reported.Collection for port losses possible?
Determine whether the disaster has altered any of the following physical characteristics of the port:
Depth of approach channels.Harbor.Turning basin.Alongside piers/wharves.Availability of lighters.
Determine whether the disaster has blocked or damaged port facilities:
Number.Length.Draft alongside (high tide and low tide).Served by rail? Road? Sheds? Lighters only?Availability.
Check the availability and cost of fuel. Outline what storage is available:
Determine what cargo handling equipment is available, including condition, fuel, and operators.Heavy lift cranes (number, capacity).Container and pallet handling (with port equipment? with ship’s gear only?).
Find out if pilots, tugs, and line handlers are available.Specify the working hours for the port.Specify the working hours for customs.Determine whether arrangements can be made with the port and host-country authorities to obtain priority berthing for vessels delivering disaster relief shipments.Identify an adequate number of personnel to tally and document cargo when received and transshipped.Check the history of turnover time. What effect has the disaster had on turnover time?Determine what repairs and/or auxiliary equipment would be needed to increase the port’s capacity. How soon can local authorities be expected to restore service?
Identify transfer points by location.Determine whether surface transportation for cargo is available from airports and seaports:
Road?Railroad?Canal/river?
Estimate the capacity of transfer points, including handling.Outline what storage is available.Describe security arrangements.Identify an adequate number of personnel to receive and document cargo for transshipment.
Describe damage to the road network as it relates to the possibility of delivering relief supplies by truck.Indicate any restrictions, such as weight, width, length, or height limitations at bridges, tunnels, etc.Determine whether bypassing damaged sections of the road network is possible and what weight restrictions would apply.Determine whether containers can be moved inland:
20-or 40-foot container sizes?To the disaster site or to a transfer point?
Check the availability and cost of trucks owned by the government of the affected country.Check the availability and cost of UN/PVO/NGO/IO-owned or operated vehicles.Check the availability and cost of commercial vehicles.Determine the types, sizes, and number of commercial vehicles available.Judge whether the relief program could or should contract for any of the above trucks. What would be the freight rates per ton? What about collection for losses?Ascertain that maintenance facilities and spare parts are available.Outline measures to provide for security of cargo in transit.Check the availability and cost of fuel.
Identify and locate any railroads in the disaster-stricken area. Assess their current condition.Describe any damage to the electrical power system.Identify any interdictions—damaged bridges and tracks, fallen trees, etc.If moving shipments between counties, determine if tracks are compatible.Judge the reliability of the rail system.Determine whether cars can be made available for relief shipments on a priority basis.Determine the capacity and cost of rail shipments.Outline security measures to protect cargo in transit.
Identify undamaged or damaged but usable warehouses located in reasonable proximity to the disaster site.Determine the capacity of these warehouses.Determine their availability over a specific period of time.Specify whether the warehouses are government-owned, UN/PVO/NGO/IO-owned, or privately owned.Determine whether they are staffed.Determine the cost per square meter.Assess the adequacy of the warehouses’ construction:
Ventilation?Lighting?Hard floor?Fireproofing?Loading docks?Condition of roof (check during day)?
Describe available loading/unloading equipment:
Pallets.Forklifts and fuel.
Ascertain that adequate security exists:
Perimeter fence.Lighting.Guards.
Determine whether any refrigeration is available.Determine whether sorting and repackaging facilities exist.Determine whether fumigation is necessary and if the warehouse is available for food, medicines, etc.If assessing a functioning warehouse, determine:
Accounting and recordkeeping procedures.Bin/stock cards on piles. (They must match the warehouse register.)Physical inventory checks at random intervals.Use of waybills.Stacking methods.Spacing system between rows.Cleanliness.Commodity handling system.Reconstitution of damaged goods.Prompt disposal of damaged goods.First in/first out system.