Air Date: 10-6-2017|Episode 480
This week we welcome Jim Thompson, “The Big Dog of Large Losses” and “The Restoration Industry Global Watchdog” and RIA Industry Adviser Pete Consigli for another special report on Hurricanes, Harvey, Irma and Maria. In addition we have Chris and Maria Slay owners of Rainbow Restoration of Sugarland & Katy joining us with an on the ground report from Texas. IAQ Radio continues its coverage of the extensive damage and efforts to restore properties throughout the hardest hit areas.
Full Description:
This week we welcome Jim Thompson, “The Big Dog of Large Losses” and “The Restoration Industry Global Watchdog” and RIA Industry Adviser Pete Consigli for another special report on Hurricanes, Harvey, Irma and Maria. In addition we have Chris and Maria Slay owners of Rainbow Restoration of Sugarland & Katy joining us with an on the ground report from Texas. IAQ Radio continues its coverage of the extensive damage and efforts to restore properties throughout the hardest hit areas.
Jim Thompson & Company has handled large commercial and industrial fire and water losses all over the US and Puerto Rico. If you think you’re ready to up the ante and compete against the big guns on large insurance claims; Jim offers to teach you how. Jim has handled large complex commercial and industrial insurance losses in 43 states and Puerto Rico. While many restoration contractors strive to get on the State Farm or Farmer’s Insurance list of preferred contractors, Jim Thompson wanted off the list. Jim’s a hands-on guy, who abhors working in an office and prefers to lead from the front.
Chris Slay comes to the water restoration industry from a corporate background where he was most recently a business consultant for Accenture. He is a Rainbow Restoration franchise owner in Sugarland, Texas. As the owner, Chris makes it a point to meet each customer personally to ensure the work is going according to plan and according to the insured’s desire. He has been omnipresent in the Texas area on the news and in the trenches helping with recovery following Hurricane Harvey.
Maria Slay has a Master degree in business and 19 years’ experience in the insurance industry and is a licensed adjuster. She understands how property insurance works and how to make each loss beneficial to both the insured and the insurer. In addition to managing the branch, scheduling jobs, writing estimates and managing contractors, you will find Maria on the job site helping the technicians with the hard work at hand.
Pete Consigli, CR, WLS is the Restoration Industry’s Global Watchdog has been a long time friend and guest on IAQ Radio. Pete Consigli has been a member of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) since 1977. In 2008 Pete was the recipient of the Martin L. King award and in 2012 was made an honorary member of the RIA. He has served the association the past several years in the dual role of RIA Education Director and Industry Adviser. Pete presently serves as an adviser with RIA’s education and certification committees and staff. He is a Water Loss Specialist (WLS) prep course facilitator and program adviser. Pete also advises the RIA board of directors and the association management team on matters impacting the restoration industry and RIA’s mission.
Z-Man’s Blog:
“Houston will flood again”
Continuing coverage of Hurricane Harvey and Irma. Todays’ guests were: Big Jim Thompson is a large loss veteran, having handled large commercial and industrial losses in 43 states and Puerto Rico. Chris and Maria Slay own a Rainbow International franchise in Houston. Pete Consigli, IAQradio’s roving reporter.
Nuggets mined from today’s episode:
Big Jim Thompson
Compared to other areas struck by hurricanes and catastrophic flooding, Houston was a great place to work. Gas stations and Wal-Mart’s were open in matter of a few days.
With media coverage of Harvey as “being the worst hurricane in history”, available restoration resources headed to Texas. Resources were directed by the news media not potential client needs. Nothing this year was really unusual, as usual there was a forced lockout of effected areas until official clearance given. Fuel was running low before the hurricane in Naples, FL and was available within 72-96 hours after. The real disaster is in Puerto Rico. New trend, more rental equipment is available than before. Small restoration firms can now rent large equipment and compete with large restoration firms.
With media coverage of Harvey as “being the worst hurricane in history”, available restoration resources headed to Texas. Resources were directed by the news media not potential client needs. Nothing this year was really unusual, as usual there was a forced lockout of effected areas until official clearance given. Fuel was running low before the hurricane in Naples, FL and was available within 72-96 hours after. The real disaster is in Puerto Rico. New trend, more rental equipment is available than before. Small restoration firms can now rent large equipment and compete with large restoration firms.
While good technical training is available in the cleaning and restoration field, there is a huge gap in safety training. After 9/11, OSHA developed the Disaster Site Worker program to prepare workers for working following disasters and terrorist attacks. The course familiarizes students with command and control at disaster sites. Students receive a Disaster Site Worker card which savvy recipients can use to bluff their way into/onto a disaster site. Jim sees a need and is filling it, by teaching a combined OSHA 10 Hour Worker with the Disaster Site Worker course.
Rather than working under the radar and avoiding mold licensing, he’s an advocate of being above the radar, having an IEP write the scope of work and perform PRV. These actions minimizes liability and covers clients’ butt as well as your own.
Following a disaster there often is no law and order; calling 911 in a disaster area won’t work. You need to protect yourself, your employees, your equipment, and jobsite.
Get involved with the community. Familiarize emergency responders with your firm by handing out bottled water with your logo and contact info.
Beware of the temptation to be greedy and bid on more work than you are prepared to handle and finance.
Chris and Maria Slay
While the media shifted attention away from Texas. First to Florida and then to Puerto Rico; efforts are moving along. FEMA is doing a great job, there is good continuum of government services. Shipping water ports are open. Flooding initially prevented gas trucks and trailers of groceries from getting in. Grocery stores, gas stations and restaurants are now back open. The process has been slow for uninsured homeowners to obtain financial assistance. Houston is a proud city.
They are encountering the widespread absence of flood insurance coverage. They are responding to the needs for service by providing free advice to property owners who can’t afford professional services and lowering the costs for others by minimizing services and providing guidance on how property owners can reduce loss by doing some of the work themselves.
Drying equipment is available both for rent and for sale.
Rainbow International has a corporate CAT task force which organize disaster response. The diversified Rainbow corporate franchise umbrella functions as a “neighborly company”, providing a range of services, disaster restoration, electrical, plumbing, appliance repair, grounds maintenance, etc.
Their community outreach and marketing efforts began long before the hurricane. Enrollment of clients in Disaster Preparedness Plans. Preparing clients for the loss before it occurs. Service calls began to come in before the hurricane with clients asking to be placed on their list. Proximity work, residential and business neighbors who saw them working close-by also requested service. Rainbow corporate could reassign calls to other franchisees.
Rainbow’s project managers write the scope of work. They offer the add-on option of a mold assessment upon completion of emergency response and structural drying.
Every project is unique, in its own way.
They provide technical information and presentations to realtors, insurance companies, businesses.
Consumer tip- Buy flood insurance, Houston will flood again.
Pete Consigli
A minority of restoration firms are aware of the OSHA Disaster Site Worker program. He sees a huge need for the training.
Homes of many snowbirds suffered damage from wind driven rain.
More IEPs are needed in FL and on the islands. Restorers in FL relying more on IEPS.
Z-Man- The importance of communication with clients and insurance companies is stressed, the industry is widely unprepared to communicate with EMTS, police, military and government. The Disaster Site Worker training will improve communication.
RadioJoe- What can be done to make Houston more resistant to future flooding? While we can make buildings more flood and weather resistant, we can’t make building codes disaster proof. Codes need to be reasonable and code compliance affordable.
Attention Florida Restoration and Remediation Contractors–Don’t Miss This Unique Training Opportunity!!!
Attend the OSHA Outreach Construction 10 Hour Class November 14 & 15 and the
OSHA Disaster Site Workers Class, November 15, 16 & 17 at the Harvey Cohen Law Group; 350 N Lake Destiny Maitland, Florida.
Learn more by calling Jim Thompson at 727-424-2000 or contact Devan Livingston at: devan at itsaboutjustice dot law.
Z-Man signing off
Trivia Question:
What were the first two names of Atlantic storms to be officially retired?
Answer:
Carol and Hazel
