In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, some hospitals in southeast Texas turned to the state for help when vendors encountered roadblocks or curfew restrictions.

 

The Texas Department of Public Safety publicized an e-mail address through the Texas Hospital Association that hospital suppliers could write to if they needed to pass through roadblocks set up to control access to areas damaged by Ike. The state asked for information such as the vendor’s name, the reason for access to the area, and a point of contact.

The state in turn faxed the vendors an authorization letter that allowed them to pass into restricted regions and reach their destination hospitals.

 

It may be worth asking your state officials about such an arrangement for your vendors should it ever become necessary.