Air Date: 3-11-2011|Episode 200
Dr. Randy R. Rapp is an Associate Professor of Building Construction Management Technology at Purdue University and coordinates the Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction Management concentration. ..
Full Description:
Dr. Randy R. Rapp is an Associate Professor of Building Construction Management Technology at Purdue University and coordinates the Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction Management concentration. He has practical experience of the impact of both natural and man-made disasters and has worked in government and commercial contexts. While with Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR), he served in project controls and operations for Hurricane Katrina and materiel and logistics management for Hurricane Wilma. He was also the project controls manager and deputy program general manager for the Restore Iraqi Oil program. With Edward R. Fisk, he co-authored the Introduction to Engineering Construction Inspection (2004), contributes to redevelopment of the Certified Restorer credential for the Restoration Industry Association, and chaired the Government Affairs Committee of the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Z-Man’s Blog:
Bob’s dream
People engaged in the disaster repair industry began meeting together to share information in the early 1970s. For over four decades, practitioners of the trade of disaster damage repair often felt that they haven’t gotten the respect that the trade deserves, that has changed. Now the art and science of disaster repair can be studied at the collegiate level at Purdue University. The program was the brainchild of Bob Bonwell, a purveyor of cleaning equipment in Indianapolis, Indiana. Bob didn’t just conceive the idea; he organized a group of 9 other individuals and firms from within the disaster restoration field to commit to endowing the necessary funds to Purdue ($1,500,000 total). A benefactor of Purdue provides matching funds.
Dr. Randy Rapp, is the man with primary responsibility for developing, coordinating and delivering Purdue Universities Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction Management Concentration (DRR). Randy was our guest on the 200th episode of IAQradio.
This show was special because we wanted to highlight the good work the disaster restoration field does and the important difference they make.
Nuggets gleaned from today’s show:
· According to Dr. Rapp, time and psychology are the two factors that differentiate disaster repair from general construction.
· Practitioners of disaster repair must respond rapidly and have an enthusiastic sense of service; helping people in need.
· The DRR program is small and will grow. Graduates should find work in construction, facilities maintenance, disaster restoration, insurance, government, etc.
· Perhaps the DRR program will be offered online?
· A textbook used in the course, “Introduction to Natural & Manmade Disasters and Their Effects on Buildings” by Roxanna McDonald might be a good read and reference book to have in your library.
Dr. Weyel provided encouraging words, recounting the days when he was one of only four students in the University of Pittsburgh’s industrial hygiene program.
Today’s Music “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel Z-Man Signing Off
