National Demolition Association Poised to Join Hurricane Relief Effort

The National Demolition Association has been in contact with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the White House, outlining the capabilities that the nation’s demolition contractors can bring to areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The Employee Health & Safety Committee, as part of the association’s recent agreement with OSHA, completed work on a new program that outlines the role of a demolition contractor at a disaster site. This material, which includes a DVD with a companion educational booklet and White Paper on the industry’s capabilities, was forwarded to FEMA Director Mike Brown and President George W. Bush’s Chief of Staff Andrew Card.

The Federal agencies have been in contact with the association, but they are not ready to begin the large-scale demolition and site clearing in either Mississippi or Louisiana. FEMA has asked that interested members contact the National Demolition Association instead of them as they are currently inundated with offers of assistance.