IS-26 Guide to Points of Distribution (PODs)

Points of Distribution - Points of Distribution are centralized locations where the public picks up life sustaining commodities following a disaster or emergency - Commodities usually include shelf stable food and water What are Points of Distribution or PODs? During a disaster, one method of issuing supplies may not be enough. A Local Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) could use other distribution systems or use all of them at once. All three complement each other and provide expanded distribution coverage. For this Guide, we will focus on Points of Distribution or PODs. PODs can accommodate vehicle traffic (drive-thru), pedestrian traffic (walk thru), and mass transit traffic (bus or rail). Each person or vehicle receives a set amount of supplies. The recommended amount is for each person/vehicle to receive enough for a household of three. The amount of supplies provided will differ depending on the type of transportation used. For instance, more supplies are provided to someone in a car than to a pedestrian who must hand carry items.