It’s so great to see the construction industry help others in a time of need.
After the tornado in Joplin, Mo., last year, several manufacturers lent equipment. When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana back in 2005, it was the deadliest and most destructive Atlantic hurricane of that year’s Atlantic hurricane season. The destruction was phenomenal, and our industry stepped in to help.
Flooded streets, caused by Hurricane Sandy, are seen on Oct. 29, 2012, in the corner of Brigham street and Emmons Avenue of Brooklyn, N.Y. Photo courtesy of Anton Oparin/Shutterstock.com
Just last year — on April 27, 2011 — a deadly tornado ravaged Tuscaloosa, Ala., the home of my company, Randall-Reilly Business Media. The devastation was unreal. Photos cannot even begin to describe it. (I went down there for a meeting two months after the tornado and was astounded.) Again, the construction industry stepped in to help, donating equipment, money and even setting up BBQs for those working on the cleanup efforts. Our own Randall-Reilly team was even part of the effort by raising money and donating time. (Our company allowed employees to take PAID time off to help with the cleanup efforts. Our very own chairman, Mike Reilly, and our president and CEO, Brent Reilly, were out there as well. No one was too good to help.) I am lucky to work for a company that puts people first.
In a world with so much negativity, it’s amazing to see people come together to help one another.
Now, in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, Holt Cat has stepped in to provide ower to affected regions. Following the superstorm’s destruction across the Northeast, the Cat dealer’s national response team deployed power generator equipment and service technicians to New York and New Jersey, restoring temporary and permanent power in those areas.
Currently, Holt Cat’s generators have provided 13.3 megawatts of electric power to the Northeast, and the dealer’s mpany’s national accounts administrative staff continues to provide tools and technicians to service power outages, according to Holt Cat. Through sale and rental, Holt has also provided more than 40 dewatering pumps and 100 light towers.
Power generators are currently powering the New York Stock Exchange and other critical institutions that would otherwise be without power.
I know there are many other companies and those employed in the transportation and construction industries that are helping out. (If you are, please feel free to send me photos and any information about your efforts at [email protected].)
However, I am appalled at the news I just read on WAFF.com, the online site for WAFF TV-48 based in Huntsville, Ala. According to a report I read on the site, The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews learned they could not help out in New Jersey unless they affiliated with a union, according to the news station’s report.
