Catastrophe
A number of circumstances can contribute to a catastrophe, namely natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, mudslides and floods, as well as manmade catastrophes such as wildfires, terrorism and riots. Our catastrophe response experience includes September 11, the Northridge and Loma Prieta Earthquakes, the Southern California Wildfires and Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma.
The Catastrophe Team of American Technologies, Inc. extends expert services encompassing all aspects of the immediate recovery process. We swiftly respond and launch a coordinated process for returning the client’s business to full operation. We’ll assist in scope determination (including necessary emergency services), economics of repair vs. replacement and the appropriate recovery milestones. We’ll also appoint a project coordinator to manage all tasks in the recovery process and ensure each step is closely recorded.
American Technologies, Inc. is mobilized and prepared to rectify the damage caused by any disaster. Our team of highly trained specialists are always ready to perform the emergency mitigation services.
Residential, Commercial and Industrial Capabilities
Environmental Remediation – Removal and disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos, lead, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB’s), and other hazardous materials.
Asbestos Retrieval and Remediation – Once asbestos is disturbed by either water or fire damage, it can cause elevated fiber counts above the permissible exposure level. This can cause closure of the facility or facilitate removal. We can provide referrals for air monitoring consultation and assessment.
Demolition– Demolition of charred debris and/or water damaged areas is important in the effort to mitigate damages. It is important to establish an initial scope of demolition in order to save items that can be restored or returned to operation.
Odor Removal – New technologies and chemicals have been developed to control odor on a short and long term basis. This is usually one of the first steps to minimize the physical as well as physiological damage which can occur.
Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems – There are technological methods to clean, deodorize, and encapsulate HVAC systems. These reduce or eliminate the need to replace contaminated systems from smoke odor or soot particles that often migrate into the systems.
Electronic Data Processing Equipment – Initial corrosion needs to be displaced and arrested in order for the more time consuming work of chemical and physical reconditioning.
Documents/Valuable Papers – Hand dry cleaning contaminated documents, Freon cleaning due to contamination or freeze drying wet documents, then vacuum drying.
General Cleaning of Contents and Furnishings – This includes floors, walls, ceilings, fixtures, windows, furniture, draperies, upholstery, small contents, wall hangings, files, books, etc.
Mechanical Shaft and Elevator – Interior shafts and elevator hoists should be contamination.
Encapsulation of Structural Surfaces – Many times an area cannot be cleaned or restored back to the original condition and surfaces may remain as a cause for sources of odor. Either an encapsulant or a pigmented sealer will be applied to prepare the surface and eliminate future odor problems.
Catastrophe Response Portfolio
1994 Northridge Earthquake
When the Northridge Earthquake occurred, it produced the strongest ground movement ever recorded in urban North America and along with it millions of dollars in damage to the greater Los Angeles area. Many residential homes, commercial office buildings and industrial facilities sustained significant damage and required the services of American Technologies, Inc. to handle the reconstruction and retrofitting. During repairs, ATI paid particular attention to fixing structural issues to ensure seismic safety in the future.
2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma Damage
During the turbulent 2005 hurricane season, Hurricane Katrina was one of the costliest and deadliest hurricanes ever to hit the United States while Hurricane Wilma is recorded as the most intense hurricane ever to hit the Atlantic basin. The aftermath of both hurricanes required immediate action, and within 24-hours of each distaster, the American Technologies, Inc. Catastrophe Response Teams from all company offices were dispatched to provide emergency clean up services. Although initially occupied with mitigating damage in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, ATI also deployed additional emergency personnel to Mexico and Florida right after Hurricane Wilma. With both disasters, ATI dispatched emergency services teams to manage labor pools, oversee clean-up efforts, perform necessary demolition and dry-downs and enact mold prevention.
2007 Southern California Wildfires
A state of emergency was declared in seven Southern California counties as wildfires and firestorms burned over 500,000 acres of land from Santa Barbara all the way down to the Mexico-California border. After the fires were finally contained, American Technologies, Inc. geared up to mitigate the effects of the fires and set up Emergency Response Centers in our all four of our Southern California offices and deploying assistance from our Northern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas offices. For the next few months, Emergency Response Teams provided debris removal, onsite dry downs, HVAC cleaning, contents cleaning and structural reconstruction to reverse the widespread effects of the fire and smoke on local residential, commercial and industrial facilities.