As the Exchange continues to carry out its mission essential services to the military community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Europe fleet managers are making sure drivers are prepared.
Exchange driver Martin Scherer was recently making the 660-mile trip from the Exchange’s Germersheim Distribution Center in Germany to the Polish border for a delivery to support the Defender Europe 20 military exercise.
While the trip typically takes more than 10 hours, because of new border protections stemming from the pandemic, Scherer spent more than 72 hours on the road—most of it waiting at the border—before he was able to hail a police escort that helped him turn around so he could return to the DC.
“Our driver was stuck in a line of hundreds of trucks with nowhere to go,” said Exchange Europe Regional Fleet Manager Ronald Willis.
Scherer’s delivery, along with an additional three trailers, was dispatched a few days later, this time with special decals provided by the 21st Theater Support Command that allowed them to cross the Polish border more quickly and deliver the cargo successfully.
Scherer’s experience, however, prompted fleet managers to make some changes. With the possibility of drivers facing unexpected delays at borders throughout Europe, Willis and his team briefed their drivers of the situation and provided all drivers with emergency rations of bottled water and Meals Ready to Eat.
The drivers also received disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, an N95 mask, a personal thermometer and gloves.
“The Exchange team is mission essential. Our drivers are needed to make sure the military community gets what it needs,” Willis said. “We’re doing all we can to protect our drivers and keep them safe while they’re serving those who serve.”
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