Disaster Relief Experience
| Article Index |
|---|
| Disaster Relief Experience |
| Hurricanes Katrina and Rita |
| Hurricanes Gustav and Ike |
| Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flood |
| Northwest Indiana Floods |
| All Pages |
- Portable Toilets
- Restroom Trailers
- Shower Trailers
- Roll-off Dumpsters
- Temporary Fencing
- Laundry Facilities
SSI has been contracted by FEMA for these services, and has also provided services for organizations such as the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, United Way, National Forestry, Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, and local state and government agencies. SSI is in the process of obtaining General Services Administration (GSA) Certification. Several experiences are detailed to better describe Service Sanitation’s involvement with disaster relief.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
When Hurricane Katrina hit the Southeast in August of 2005, Service Sanitation was called into action. As one of the first organizations to respond, our crew of qualified personnel delivered hundreds of portable restrooms, several shower trailers, and multiple pumper trucks to this location.
Service Sanitation had as many as eight pumper trucks running 24 hours per day at the peak of the activity. In addition to the servicing of portable restrooms and shower trailers, SSI was responsible for the logistics of routing all services. We created a command center for incoming hotline calls; units and trucks were dispatching accordingly. SSI stationed personnel at these locations for several months.
Hurricanes Gustav and Ike
On September 1, 2008, Hurricane Gustav hit the gulf coast. Two weeks later, Hurricane Ike followed with more devastating force. Because of SSI’s proven disaster response capabilities, our organization was again called to action.
As the relief efforts grew, five SSI crews were sent across the disaster area: Memphis, TN; New Orleans, LA; Lufkin, TX; Houston, TX; San Antonio, TX. Services ranged from set-up of shower trailer complexes at base camps, to delivery and servicing of portable restrooms and handwash stations, to building and maintaining mobile laundry facilities for hurricane victims.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Flood
In June of 2008, Service Sanitation was dispatched to Cedar Rapids, Iowa by FEMA in the aftermath of a devastating flood. Cedar Rapids was hit particularly hard and we deployed several pumper trucks and hundreds of toilets to the area. SSI performed daily services for several weeks. Additionally, holding tank and restroom trailer services were provided.
Northwest Indiana Floods
SSI's most recent activity hit close to home in September of 2008. SSI provided portable restroom and trash services for the various FEMA command centers that were set up in the Northwest Indiana area. Additionally, such services were provided throughout the region for the various home damages that occurred.
