In attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19, President Trump recently shared the following guidance for the country:
“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.”
Last week, the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency shared an initial list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” to help ensure the continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security. This list includes “Workers who support the manufacture and distribution of forest products including timber, paper, and other wood products.” This guidance on critical workers also includes companies throughout the forest products supply chain as well as those providing support and services to companies in the supply chain. Under this guidance FRC and FRC employees are designated as essential due to our support of timberland owners, the forest products supply chain, and forest products manufacturing companies.
As we continue to hear further communications from the federal government, there is no doubt that the last couple of weeks has indeed produced unprecedented concerns and fears for all of us from both a health and financial perspective. In times like this we are reminded that FRC employees are clearly the most valuable asset of our company. As we continue to serve clients and provide support during this challenging period, FRC has been reviewing and implementing policies and practices to keep our staff and their families safe and healthy. While some of our short-term adjustments to address the current situation include remote working, flex time for some employees, limited face-to-face meetings, and other measures, our staff will continue to focus on serving our clients’ needs and ongoing operations
The needs, goals, and operations of our clients also remain paramount during this crisis. While we are taking measures to protect the health of our employees and their families, a second and similarly important factor in our decisions and protocols during this period is the assured continuity of client operations. We recognize that the coming months will no doubt bring unexpected challenges in our national and local economies. Unfortunately, this will include the forest industry and related businesses that we depend on and within which we operate. Our clients can rest assured that we are here to continue to assist in maneuvering through any obstacles that may arise.
All of us will be making adjustments and refinements to our short-term plans and objectives, but we should do so with a continued focus on established long-term goals. Staying focused on our long-term objectives during this temporary storm will allow us all to emerge stronger as we return to normalcy.
While there may be some abnormal difficulties or delays over the coming weeks, we will remain committed to our clients’ success. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns, questions,or issues that we may need to discuss or address over the coming weeks. As always, we feel honored to have you as clients, business partners, and friends.