Month: October 2016

Is Your Property Safe from Vandalism on Halloween?

Oct 27, 2016

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

Halloween is the spookiest day of the year!

According to Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, statistics show more vandalism insurance claims are filed on Halloween than any other day of the year. Don’t let your business be a target for vandalism. Make sure you take the proper precautions to protect it.

Lock it up

Whether you close early or on time, make sure the last person to leave checks to ensure all doors and windows are locked. Also, make sure any important paperwork or money is locked up and secure. If possible, bring in any equipment from outside and store away.

Sound the alarm

Always turn on your alarm system before you close, but, especially on Halloween night, test and ensure this is set up to ward off burglars. If you do not have an alarm system, we highly encourage you consider installing one.

Light ‘em up

The alarm system will chase unwanted visitors away, but may leave you with a broken window or other damaged property. Consider keeping some of your lights on, or installing motion sensor lights to deter them from sneaking around your property. Burglars and vandals sometimes target businesses on Halloween, since customers are typically elsewhere or pre-occupied with their little trick-or-treaters, turning these business blocks into dark ghost towns – a perfect mark for vandals. So, light ‘em up!

Check it before you wreck it

Since streets are filled with candles and jack-o-lanterns, the number of fires increases greatly on Halloween. It’s wise to test your smoke alarms around your place of business to avoid serious property damage. Also, consider replacing your own candle decorations with battery-operated lights to reduce your risks. Even if a vandal causes the accident, your business may be liable.

DKI Sponsors a Multi-Church Baptist Revival & Cookout for Lumberton

2A3A8660 (1)October 26, 2016 – DKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, successfully sponsored “Revival,” a Baptist service and cookout, on Sunday, October 23, 2016 in Lumberton, NC at First Baptist Church (FBC).

FBC is one of the properties DKI has been repairing, following the damages from Hurricane Matthew. DKI, along with several of its member companies including: Skyline DKI, Alliance Disaster Kleenup, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, Slays Restoration, and Showcase Restoration cleaned up and prepared the parking lot to hold the service and cookout on the church grounds for the public.

Approximately 400 people attended from 39 local Baptist churches for a long-awaited service, since the area had not been able to hold services for weeks due to damage from the hurricane.

Following the service, everyone was invited to gather together for a free barbeque lunch, served by DKI members.

The event also included a bounce house and inflatable fire truck slide for the community children.

DKI Commercial Solutions National Business Development Director Bryn Lopes remarked, “We’re just trying to help the community in all different ways, to be able to cook and revitalize what was lost. Without our members it wouldn’t be possible, so together we make a good team.”

About DKI

DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI franchise member companies provide full service commercial and residential property restoration to their customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to their consumer, insurance, and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit its website at www.dkiservices.com.

About First Baptist Church Lumberton

FBC Lumberton has been faithful in teaching, feeding, housing, tutoring and other outreach programs since 1922. It is part of the glue that has held this tight knit community together despite many economic and social challenges. To help get the church and its members back to normal from the damages they endured, checks can be mailed to First Baptist Lumberton at P.O. Box 1762, Lumberton, NC 28359. Visit www.firstbaptistlumberton.orgfor more information.

J.C. Restoration, Inc. Raises Over $3000 for Local Burn Prevention Charity (IFSA)

JCR Hosts Continuing Education Course on Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration

October 24, 2016 – jcrsmoke_water 7During the week of September 20 through 23, J.C. Restoration, Inc. (JCR) successfully hosted over 230 industry professionals from the insurance and property management sectors from across the Chicagoland area for seminars on fire and smoke damage. Throughout the week, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, JCR’s chosen charity, collected over $3,000. These donations came from onsite donations from attendees and 100 percent of the registration fees collected by JCR.

The executive director of IFSA, Phil Zaleski, was on hand throughout the week to speak of IFSA’s dedication to fire safety and burn prevention through public education, and to share that raised donations would support IFSA’s Camp “I Am Me.” Camp “I Am Me” is a week-long camp for children and teenagers who have experienced injuries from burns. To learn more about the Camp, please visit www.ifsa.org/camp-i-am-me.

JCR presented, for the second consecutive year, an Illinois Department of Insurance approved CE course entitled Smoke on the Water. The one-day course explained the processes involved in fire damage mitigation and restoration. It also illustrated how insurance companies, property management professionals and restoration professionals can work together to provide property owners with rapid, responsive, technically accurate procedures for loss mitigation on fire damage claims. By the end of the day, through class participation and hands-on demonstrations, the attendees learned that advanced techniques and technologies save downtime and money throughout the fire damage claims process. Classroom discussions also focused on the public health and safety issues associated with fire restoration situations.

“Supporting charitable programs and getting involved in the surrounding community is of tremendous importance to everyone at JCR. It is an honor to select the IFSA as our charity for this event. With our commitment to provide educational programs and resources,” General Manager Steve Rost stated, “J.C. Restoration is pleased to support the IFSA and Camp I Am Me.”

About J.C. Restoration, Inc.

J.C. Restoration is one of the fastest growing independent restoration companies in the Midwest. Since 1982, JCR has been successfully restoring damaged properties in the greater Chicagoland area for thousands of Home and Business Owners. JCR offers complete emergency mitigation and restoration services for properties affected by Water, Fire, Smoke, Storms, and Mold. Our Emergency Response Teams are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week– with vehicles fully stocked and ready for immediate dispatch. Restoration Services Include: Building / Structural Damage, Water Damage, Fire Damage, Emergency Clean-up, Certified Mold Remediation, Contents Restoration, Document Restoration, and Commercial/Large Loss Services. To learn more about J.C. Restoration, please call 800.956.8844 or visit www.jcr24.com.

About DKI
DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI franchise member companies provide full service restoration to their customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to its consumer, insurance, and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit its website at www.dkiservices.com

DKI Restoring More Than Properties After Hurricane Matthew

Oct 21, 2016

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

This week DKI is restoring more than just properties!

As you have seen or read about last week, we were more than prepared for Hurricane Matthew, with our contractors from around the country set up at specific locations, with the required equipment and resources supplied by our vendors/sponsors. Since the hurricane hit, the DKI Team has been busy meeting with clients and assessing and repairing damaged properties. As our contractors have seen the effects of Hurricane Matthew, both physical and mental, they started brainstorming ideas to restore, not just their clients’ properties, but also their lives and hope.

Bryn Lopes, our National Project Consultant, met with the city of Lumberton in North Carolina to discuss a possible community luncheon for the residents of the area who were impacted by the hurricane. Together they decided on holding a cookout with barbequed burgers and hot dogs, and plenty of snacks. Several DKI member companies participated, offering to barbeque and hand out lunches.

And… word quickly spread through social media!

What began as a small, one-day cookout at the grounds of one of the local churches quickly developed into a partnership with the National Guard, American Red Cross, North Carolina Agricultural Department, making it an opportunity for THOUSANDS within the community to enjoy food, clothing, supplies and more.

PLUS, the cookout was such a success that the city asked us all to return the following day to throw another community cookout.

Read more about it from the Robesonian and on our News’ Page.

We decided to continue the positivity throughout Robeson County by hosting Revival – a Baptist service, followed by another cookout. The event is expected to draw in thousands from the 39 local churches, which have not been able to have services in weeks due to the hurricane. DKI has been working on First Baptist Church in Lumberton, where Revival will be held, and will be cleaning up the parking lot and setting out DKI trucks so Pastor Murray can preach on one of our 35-foot flatbeds. Spread the word!

DKI Restores More than Properties

On Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 17 and 18, DKI Partnered with Several Local Lumberton, N.C. Groups to Support the Community Affected by Hurricane Matthew

October 19, 2016 – 

5DKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, today announced the success of their hosted charity cookout for thousands in Lumberton, N.C. affected by Hurricane Matthew.

On Monday, Oct. 17, Bryn Lopes, national project consultant for DKI, gathered DKI member companies and corporate staff at the grounds of Robeson Community Church on W. 5th Street to set up, grill and serve the Lumberton community hundreds of hamburgers and hot dogs.

What began as this one-day barbecue event to give back to those affected by the hurricane, quickly developed into a partnership with the National Guard, American Red Cross, North Carolina Agricultural Department and the City of Lumberton to also hand out clothing, supplies and more.

The event drew in thousands of residents in need of food, supplies, encouragement and hope.

“DKI has been busy restoring properties, buildings, and facilities along the East Coast, but today, we made small strides at restoring many lives,” said DKI Commercial Solutions VP of Operations Bill Robinson.

14567987_1159594687427947_6577526271617898370_nThe turnout was so successful that all groups decided to hold a second community event the following day, October 18, at Sandy Grove Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Drive.

“The unity of the DKI members and their generosity, compassion, and commitment to those in need has been unbelievable, and truly shows the power of this incredible group,” Robinson continued.

More events may continue throughout the week. Follow DisasterKleenup on Twitter and DKIServices on Facebook for updates.

About DKI

DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI franchise member companies provide full service restoration to their customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to their consumer, insurance, and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit our website at www.dkiservices.com. 

Cousino Harris Sponsors 5th Annual Community Toy Drive

October 16, 2015 – 2012_toysDKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, today announced that one of its member companies, Cousino Harris Disaster Kleenup of Ohio and Michigan, is running their fifth annual “Play it Forward” used toy drive on October 23-24, 2015.

The Play it Forward toy drive collects gently used toys, books, games, puzzles, bicycles, stuffed animals, wagons, etc. for underprivileged children. Toys are sorted by age group and category, then washed and properly cleaned to remove any bacteria.

Over the years, the toys have been delivered in a variety of ways, including dropping off at shelters and giveaway events at the Wayman Palmer YMCA and Erie Street Market. This year, organizations will be invited to Cousino Harris’ main location to “shop” for toys that can be used at their facilities or distributed amongst the families.

“It is an event that the community looks forward to as much as we do,” said Shelly Konz, marketing of Cousino Harris. “By collecting the outgrown toys we are essentially recycling them and keeping them out of landfills. Toys are essential to creativity and imagination development, and Play it Forward helps to make sure children who may not have toys receive them.”

Play it Forward would not be possible without the incredible support of the Perrysburg’s DECA Program’s marketing students, Penta Career Center’s Job Training Department students, Bowling Green State University’s sororities, Perrysburg High School’s Honor Society, Batteries Plus, several retired Knights of Columbus, and many more who contribute their time and donations.

Donations of used toys and batteries can be delivered on October 23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and October 24 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at Cousino Harris’ main office located at 26901 Eckel Road, Perrysburg, OH. The date of the giveaway will be determined based on completion of sanitation and cleaning.

If you have questions about the event, please contact Shelly Konz at 419-931-2054.

About Cousino Harris Disaster Kleenup

With a full service team of skilled craftsmen and technicians, Cousino Harris Disaster Kleenup is equipped to tackle any size reconstruction and/or remodeling project, whether residential, commercial or institutional. Cousino Harris Disaster Kleenup is proud to be able to be involved with projects from beginning to end. For information please visit us at www.cousinoharris.com or call 419-874-9500.

About DKI
DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI Franchise Member companies provide full service restoration to their customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to our consumer, insurance, and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit our website at www.dkiservices.com and download DKI’s Red Cross Emergency App www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/emergency-app.

Hurricane Matthew Exposes the Power of DKI’s Network

Oct 13, 2016

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

Our team has been extremely busy these last couple of weeks, gearing up for, tracking and responding to Hurricane Matthew – and this has been our most organized event yet!

Since hurricane season typically runs June through November, our team developed a new forward-looking approach. Because communication is key in times of need, we included our corporate team, member companies, clients and even our affiliates in our new Hurricane Emergency Preparation Plan to ensure everyone was on the same page in the event of a major hurricane. After all, our biggest advantage as DKI is our solid nationwide network – Strength in Numbers.

Closely tracking Hurricane Matthew while it developed in the Caribbean, we were all more than prepared when the hurricane eventually made landfall Saturday morning on South Carolina’s coast.

Before the hurricane was originally expected to land, we were already aware of all contractors planning to or having already mobilized, along with their current whereabouts. And, each of them were familiar with their assignments and specific instructions/procedures.

Our DKI ProSupply sponsors have also been serving as tremendous support to our teams!

  • 1-800-PACK-RAT shipped thousands of portable storage containers to the impacted areas.
  • Sunbelt Rentals delivered an abundance of power supplies.
  • Aramsco-Interlink worked with DKI Corporate directly at our headquarters to get any consumables to our contractors.
  • Lowe’s and Home Depot offered temporary labor, storage for fleets and equipment, and other necessary resources.
  • com provided accommodations in the affected areas of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia for our mobilized contractors.

Our teams and sponsors from all over the country have been working tirelessly to complete and support numerous losses, which we expect to continue as more flooded areas become accessible. We are so proud of and thankful to our entire team for their commitment and patience through the challenges. It has been incredible to watch this plan unfold so successfully, and we owe it all to our amazing DKI Network!

We have already received amazing support from some of our members –

“Your team is doing a phenomenal job! We are extremely pleased to be working this storm with your amazing team!” – Doug Burton, President, Skyline DKI

“I’m proud to be affiliated with such a compassionate company.” – Lindsay Biren, ASR Construction DKI

If you or your business has been impacted by the hurricane (flooding, fallen trees, downed power lines, etc.), please call us at 866-277-2977. Our crews are more than ready to help get you back to business!

Expressing Gratitude

Oct 13, 2016

By: Chelsea Haley, DKI Ventures, LLC

Thank you – Those two words that most parents try to instill in their children from an early age. When Uncle George bought you that toy that was “so last year,” you begrudgingly smiled and choked up a “Thank you, Uncle.” And, as you get older, those two simple words become second nature, and often more sincere. When a stranger holds the door for you, or someone allows you to “go ahead” as you clutch onto that gallon of milk in a grocery line of ten people long, it’s almost reflexive to voice your gratitude.

However, how many times do you hear these words in your office, other than the standard closing of an email? Do you thank your co-workers for their help with a project? Probably. Do you thank your boss for giving up his or her time to discuss something? Do you thank him for the opportunity to work for the company? Are you too rushed in between meetings to even acknowledge that he held the door open for you as you struggle to hold onto those piles of presentations?

Gratitude is one of those things that most people don’t expect, but can entirely change one’s mentality and build positivity. People like to feel appreciated for their hard work or courtesy. At work, it’s often too easy to get caught up and frustrated or stressed. And, who feels more so than the boss, managing and trying to keep the entire company afloat? Make them feel appreciated. When people are aware their presence or performances have meaning, the desire to stay and accomplish their tasks is greater.

Friday is National Bosses Day, and if you are grateful for your boss’ commitment to the company, appreciative for the day off yesterday or your boss simply stopped to ask how your weekend was, take a moment to thank him or her. We all like to feel appreciated now and then.

 

Disaster Restoration Services Has Moved

October 7, 2016 –  Disaster Restoration Services (DRS), a member company of DKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, announced it has moved its Middletown, Conn. location across the river to Portland at 338 Airline Ave.

DRS is a team of first responders to disasters for commercial and residential properties throughout the Conn. and Mass. communities. Recently, they also opened a new location in Hopedale, Mass.

Since its inception in 2009, the team has outgrown its Middletown location. The new, larger facility allows space for its growing staff and equipment, while still remaining in the region in which it serves.

“We are excited for the larger space to better accommodate our team and serve our clients,” said President Danny Strong.

About Disaster Restoration Services

Disaster Restoration Services is a family-owned company dedicated to helping Connecticut and Massachusetts residents and businesses get their homes and property back to pre-disaster condition. The DRS team of restoration experts are on call every day, 24/7, so when disaster hits, they are there to recover the damage. Doing Restoration Strong! For more information, visit www.drscleanup.com.

About DKI
DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI franchise member companies provide full service restoration to their customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged property to its pre-loss condition quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to their consumer, insurance, and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit www.dkiservice

DKI Commercial Solutions Hires Wright

October 4, 2016 –  DKI, North America’s largest disaster restoration contracting organization, is excited to grow its Commercial Solutions division and welcome its newest additionmattwright, Matt Wright, national account executive.

Wright is no stranger to the property restoration industry as he brings 13 years’ experience from Utah Disaster Kleenup (UDK), a DKI member company, and leading providers of disaster restoration, COCAT, LLC in Denver, Colo. and Blackmon Mooring in Fort Worth, Texas. He also has over 20 years’ experience in sales, working for Coca-Cola Enterprises and including his work in disaster restoration. Wright’s expertise lies in creating successful sales teams and effective client management.

In his new position, Wright will focus on increasing DKI’s client base through promoting the national DKI brand in all commercial channels of trade within the industry.

“By uniting our members to a common commercial sales-driven purpose, DKI will become synonymous with value added services and a single disaster recovery solution nationwide,” said Wright.

Wright resides in the Nashville, Tenn. market with his wife and their two boys, and enjoys golfing, camping and other outdoor activities.

About DKI

DKI, headquartered in Chicago, is the largest disaster restoration contracting organization in North America. DKI franchise member companies provide full service restoration to its customers: emergency response, water damage mitigation, fire and contents cleaning, mold remediation, complete reconstruction and much more, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. DKI returns damaged residential and commercial properties to their pre-loss conditions quickly and efficiently, delivering complete satisfaction to its consumer, insurance and corporate customers. For more information about DKI, visit www.dkiservices.com or www.dkicommercial.com.