* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *
CFCA Resources Keep Convenience Stores Operational During Times of Disaster
07/24/2019
Sacramento, CA – The California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA), in a partnership with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), has released new resources to help convenience stores develop or enhance their disaster planning procedures.
The CFCA Convenience Store Emergency Planning and Job Aids comes as a product of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Program Challenge, which was awarded to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and its partner organizations, in 2018 to identify and enhance how convenience stores can boost their resiliency as they plan, prepare and recover from a disaster, whether man-made or natural.
“In California, we continue to face a growing number of unique threats that can instantly change the lives of those in our communities. In the last several years alone, California has faced its most destructive wildfires on record, devastating cities throughout the state, and just this month, a series of violent earthquakes rattled central California,” said CFCA Executive Director, Ryan Hanretty. “In each of these instances, communities and first responders depended on local convenience stores to provide vital resources like water, food, and transportation fuels.”
These guides ensure that convenience stores have the tools they need to continue to operate, even in the direst of situations. The moments during, and after, a disaster can be chaotic to those caught in their wake. While many businesses are left inaccessible in these times, it is imperative that gas stations and convenience stores remain operational in order to serve their communities, and provide resources that would be otherwise unavailable.
“These guides are designed to help convenience retailers quickly and efficiently determine the best course of action for their teams to plan for an emergency or bring their stores back into operation after events that happen with little to no warning,” said Carolyn Schnare, NACS director of strategic initiatives. “After curating emergency plans and insights from our convenience industry community, we have developed useful and practical resources that retailers can adapt for their own businesses.”
There are 12,000 convenience stores throughout California, accounting for over 80% of all fueling sources. Further, CFCA represents fuel marketers that serve on the front lines alongside first responders by providing them critical fuel to operate their vehicles and equipment, allowing them to continue their life-saving efforts, uninterrupted. Convenience stores also operate one-third of all ATMs, which become a vital tool for victims attempting to evacuate. In areas affected by disaster, convenience stores with generators may also serve as the only source of electricity to recharge phones, or access other means of communication.
These new resources from CFCA can help retailers ensure they reopen quickly and continue to serve their communities even in the midst of disaster.
Media Contact: James Allison, Communications Specialist, (916) 646-5999, james@cfca.energy
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Sacramento, CA – The California Fuels & Convenience Alliance (CFCA), in a partnership with the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), has released new resources to help convenience stores develop or enhance their disaster planning procedures.
The CFCA Convenience Store Emergency Planning and Job Aids comes as a product of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s National Infrastructure Protection Program Challenge, which was awarded to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and its partner organizations, in 2018 to identify and enhance how convenience stores can boost their resiliency as they plan, prepare and recover from a disaster, whether man-made or natural.
“In California, we continue to face a growing number of unique threats that can instantly change the lives of those in our communities. In the last several years alone, California has faced its most destructive wildfires on record, devastating cities throughout the state, and just this month, a series of violent earthquakes rattled central California,” said CFCA Executive Director, Ryan Hanretty. “In each of these instances, communities and first responders depended on local convenience stores to provide vital resources like water, food, and transportation fuels.”
These guides ensure that convenience stores have the tools they need to continue to operate, even in the direst of situations. The moments during, and after, a disaster can be chaotic to those caught in their wake. While many businesses are left inaccessible in these times, it is imperative that gas stations and convenience stores remain operational in order to serve their communities, and provide resources that would be otherwise unavailable.
“These guides are designed to help convenience retailers quickly and efficiently determine the best course of action for their teams to plan for an emergency or bring their stores back into operation after events that happen with little to no warning,” said Carolyn Schnare, NACS director of strategic initiatives. “After curating emergency plans and insights from our convenience industry community, we have developed useful and practical resources that retailers can adapt for their own businesses.”
There are 12,000 convenience stores throughout California, accounting for over 80% of all fueling sources. Further, CFCA represents fuel marketers that serve on the front lines alongside first responders by providing them critical fuel to operate their vehicles and equipment, allowing them to continue their life-saving efforts, uninterrupted. Convenience stores also operate one-third of all ATMs, which become a vital tool for victims attempting to evacuate. In areas affected by disaster, convenience stores with generators may also serve as the only source of electricity to recharge phones, or access other means of communication.
These new resources from CFCA can help retailers ensure they reopen quickly and continue to serve their communities even in the midst of disaster.
Media Contact: James Allison, Communications Specialist, (916) 646-5999, james@cfca.energy
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CFCA is the industry's statewide trade association representing the needs of independent wholesale and retail marketers of gasoline, diesel, lubricating oils and other petroleum products; transporters of those products; and retail convenience store operators. CFCA’s members serve California’s families, agriculture, police and fire, cities, construction, and delivery industries to name a few.