As downgraded Gustav moved inland, Hannah, Ike, Josephine and an as-yet unnamed tropical disturbance are waiting in the wings – prompting a re-activation of the Tools For Techs industry aid program throughout this year’s hurricane season. The effort remains under full mobilization mode; contributions of shop equipment and funding are being sought.
“Fortunately we dodged the bullet on this storm,” says Todd Hoffman in the immediate wake of Hurricane Gustav. “It looks like there are only a couple of shops that may need our help.”
Hoffman, executive director of the non-profit Scene of the Accident organization that oversees Tools For Techs, says there continues to be potential weather-related threats to collision and mechanical repair shops based on an escalating pattern of unstable climatic conditions.
“There are at least four more storms approaching, so we are trying to gather a warehouse full of tools to have on stand-by. I hope that people do not feel like their donations are not needed because the storm was not all that the media promised. The next one may be the big one.”
He echoes the concerns of civic authorities who fear that future evacuation orders may not be heeded by at-risk inhabitants in hurricane target zones due to Gustav basically being a dud as a full-scale Katrina-like disaster.
Advance preparation is still a wise course of action, according to Hoffman, who was honored with the 2006 ABRN Leadership Award based on his industry safety awareness, disaster recovery and training programs.
Shop owners within cones-of-uncertainty wishing to check-in are encouraged to log on to the Hurricane Relief site at www.toolsfortechs.org.
Hannah is the most current storm on the Tools For Techs radar. “We’re really watching Hannah in North and South Carolina. We’re trying to get an updated list of all the shops we can,” he says. Georgia and Florida are also included in the alert. We are asking you to prepare for the worst and pray for the best. Whatever the outcome, Tools For Techs will be there to help those in need.”
The program is accepting contributions of tools and equipment for distribution following any weather onslaught. “You may also make a tax-deductible monetary donation to help with the cost of shipping and delivery of tools to the effected areas. We’ll have additional fuel costs just to get them there to pass out,” Hoffman says, stressing that everything they receive goes directly toward providing industry disaster relief.
“We will accept any type of tools or equipment, along with any monetary donation you can afford.” If you feel uncomfortable about contributing money or dealing with the logistical challenges of re-directing heavy tools, he suggests ordering items through a catalogue for shipping directly to the program.
“We had someone who went online to Sears and had 10 tool boxes delivered straight to us.”
Hoffman said that this time around there will not be a repeat of the 2005 efforts to relocate repairers to other regions of the country. “People want to get back home and get back to work – they don’t want to leave their homes.”
Tools and funds will be distributed to those eager to resume production, whether it involves patching up a structure or re-outfitting the bays. “We don’t give handouts,” Hoffman says. “We give a helping hand to people who are ready to go back to work.”
The program was able to provide equipment for thousands of mechanical and collision repairers who lost tools in the wake of the devastating 2005 hurricane season of Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Staff and volunteers worked over the Labor Day weekend gearing up for Gustav. Arrangements for warehouse space were made; damage-assessment operations were taking place on Tuesday.
“Last time (during Katrina) there was about a 30-day wait to get aid in; we couldn’t organize to help the shops until the water receded,” he says. “We will be prepared a lot faster; as soon as the water goes down we’ll be prepared to help them. This time we are preparing before the storm. We have everybody mobilized again and ready to go.”
The situation remains fluid regarding the other impending weather concerns, and Tools For Tech continues to gear up.
In 2005, critical tools of the trade sat immersed in saltwater for an extended period. Equipment was irreparably damaged or washed away by the wind, rain and surge. Looters were also on the prowl, carting away what was left.
A quick response time is critical. “After a storm there is plenty of work (owing to a steady flow of wrecked and flooded vehicles).”
Other more-pressing tasks may come into play as well. “Something as simple as a hammer can help a guy fix a roof to keep his family dry. Carpenter tools like saws and other construction tools are so valuable after a storm like this.”
The organization also assists individual shops victimized by fires, freshwater floods and other natural calamities elsewhere in the United States.
For additional information, a request for aid or to make a credit card donation, Hoffman can be reached directly at (713) 553-6279 or todd@toolsfortechs.org.
