ICRA Response to Hurricane Sandy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October, 30, 2012

Restoration Association Response to Hurricane Sandy
The International Cleaning and Restoration Association (ICRA) has created a consumer website to help property owners recover from flood waters as a result of Hurricane Sandy and to help understand the restoration process. 

When returning to your home after a natural disaster, you need to be alert to various health and safety hazards that might exist. Flood waters can contain sewage related organisms, chemicals, organic and non organic soils and debris. As water remains in contact with your home and contents, molds can begin to grow. Animals and insects can present additional problems. Power to your home may or may not have been shut off. Electrical hazards are a major concern when working in a wet damp environment. If you have gas fired appliances that are operating, combustion gases may not be properly vented from the structure and can result in carbon monoxide poisoning or fire. For more information on how to restore your home after a flood, protecting yourself from electrical hazards, personal hygiene during flood cleanup, food and water safety go to www.aboutrestoration.com/?page_id=111.

To learn more about restoration and disaster preparedness, go to www.aboutrestoration.com

To find local qualified International Cleaning and Restoration professionals, go to www.icrassociation.org/find

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About the International Cleaning and Restoration Association

The International Cleaning and Restoration Association is a nonprofit organization of cleaning and restoration firms serving the United States and Canada.

Experience Events, LLC formed by the original founders of Connections Events and ICRA Announces New Conventions called “The EXPERIENCE” with 2 shows to be held in 2013

Denver, CO — Experience Events, LLC announced that it will hold cleaning and restoration conventions and trade shows in 2013.  Experience Events, LLC was formed by the original founders of Connections Events and the International Cleaning and Restoration Association (ICRA) to bring advanced training and education to the programs along with the largest trade shows in the industry.

The newly founded conventions and trade shows, The Experience will be managed and produced by Jennifer Wilkinson who previously held a similar position with Connections Events. Jennifer has over 10 years of experience producing, directing and managing conventions and trade shows.  Ms. Wilkinson said that "A new convention committee is being formed from a partnership including ICRA, Industry Instructors and Textile Consultants.  The committee will work on a new platform of education utilizing a combination of written materials, classroom training and hands on demonstration.  The hands-on demonstrations will be expanded and used to further research, teach and instruct how to apply what is learned in the classroom.  We are really excited to bring The EXPERIENCE to the industry and look forward to working with all areas of the industry."

The trade shows will feature the manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, educators, associations, organizations and others who provided goods and services to the cleaning and restoration industry.  The show will feature carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, area rug cleaning, hard surface floor cleaning, sealing and restoration, inspections, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, trauma scene clean-up, duct cleaning, maintenance type services, basic construction practices, business management, and marketing, training in operations and services and sales training.  The goal of these conventions and trade shows is to offer tools and training that individuals and businesses can immediately incorporate into their businesses for growth and greater profits.

"The Experience" shows are scheduled April 18, 19 and 20, 2013 on the beach in Clearwater Beach Florida, and Las Vegas Nevada September 4, 5 and 6, 2013.  

Craig Kersemeir, President of ICRA stated, "'The Experience' will include advanced training modules from ICRA in cleaning and restoration.   ICRA will offer these programs at both locations annually.”  

For more information go to: www.experiencetheevents.com or call at 888-881-1001 x10. 

CRA’s 1st Annual NorCal Golf Tournament a success!!

With over 20 foursomes consisting of cleaning and restoration companies as well as property managers and adjusters, the tournament held on October 5^th at Eagle Vines Vineyards and Golf Club proved to be a success.  From pretzels to barbequed hot links and Sloppy Joe sandwiches, to root beer floats, tequila shots, and wine tasting, golfers were wined and dined by hole sponsors as they meandered through the beautiful Napa Valley course.  After the game, players gathered for cocktails and the Awards ceremony in which 1^st,, 2^nd, and 3^rd place winners were given prizes such as Odyssey Putters and bottles of Vezer ’07 Cabernet wine in lieu of trophies.

Winners of CRA’s 1^st Annual NorCal Golf Tournament are as follows:

First Place

Easton Construction

               Andrew Easton, Josh Diaz, Jeff Cole, Ken Maghuyop

Second Place

SRI

               Joe Baughman, Lynda Shain, Brock Emanuel, Dillon Emanuel

Third Place

American Claims

               Greig Merritt, Jeff Conrad, Michelle Kaufman

Closest to the Pin Contest Winners

Hole #6:  Vin C - 3’ 2”

Hole #8:  Josh Diaz – 23’ 6”

Hole #12:  Jerry Thosen – 4’ 11”

Hole #15:  Ken Mayhoye – 4’

Longest Drive Contest

Hole #3:  Chris Larsen – 330 yds.

Hole #14:  Randy Raulerson – 340 yds.

Having only a few months to pull our first tournament together, and having had it turn out as it did, has us excited for next year’s tournament on September 27^th, 2013 at the same venue:  Eagle Vines.  We plan on selling out the next tournament quickly and are anxious to once again organize this great event now that we have this experience to build from.

For those of you who are interested in participating, either as a golfer or sponsor, in CRA’s 2^nd NorCal Golf Tournament on Sept 27, 2013, please contact us at 916-736-1100, x302 or email us at jgermond@crassociation.org so that we are able to notify you of the details when the time comes.

Last but certainly not least, we would like to once again thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for their tremendous support and efforts in making this tournament a success:

Our Major Sponsors:

Eclipse Marketing and Insurance Services

CAL-Inc.

As well as:

National E&S

Zebra Restoration

PODS Storage Mobility of CA

MasterCleaners

Dryco

JCMH Consulting

Paul Davis Restoration, North Bay

Titan Environmental Solutions

TexCare

Abatix

FRSTeam by Custom Commercial

Assured Relocation

Crouse & Associates Insurance Services

P.W. Stephens Environmental, Inc.

Easton Construction Group, Inc.

The Garment Restoration Company

CRDN of the Greater Bay Area

And a special thanks to our volunteers:

Lynsey Camara of PuroClean Home Rescue

Marie Borders of Renew Systems

Trey Mudge of Oakwood Construction

Michelle Windsor of CRDN Greater Bay Area

& Joe Baughman of SRI

Thank you, also, to those who worked on the golf committee:

Rose Miller of Servpro of Rancho Cordova

& Jon Aronson of P.W. Stephens

Thank you all.  We could not have done this without you.

Southern California Regional Meeting “Common Mistakes in Water Restoration & Mold Remediation Projects”

The Cleaning and Restoration Association held it's Southern California Regional Meeting on Tuesday, September 25th. James A. Mosier, Restoration Industry Expert Witness & Consultant, gave a presentation on “Common Mistakes in Water Restoration & Mold Remediation Projects.” Participants learned about common mistakes made in performing water damage and mold remediation projects regarding contracts, insurance, and usual and customary care practices.

James Mosier has over 16 years experience as an approved Superior Court and Federal Court Expert Witness for the restoration industry, and has inspected and or consulted on over 300 cases to date.

Lunch was provided by Patriot Environmental Lab Services, Inc.

CRA Welcomes New Board Members

The CRA would like to thank those members who participated in the election of our new board members. The following members include newly elected and recently appointed CRA BOD members:

Newly Elected BOD Members

Bill Weber
Steve Marsh
Bruce White

Recently Appointed BOD Members

Mike Morris
Barry Costa
Gabe Whitney

Current BOD Members

O.P. Almaraz
Don Banister
Gabe Matthews
Lynsey Camara
Nick DeLuca

CRA Board Members are elected for a 3 year term. On occasion, we have added board members to help expand into other geographic areas and to fill vacant seats.

According to our bylaws, the Board of Directors will meet to determine which board members will constitute the Executive Committee for 2013. The next BOD elections will be held in September 2013 and will take place at the CRA Annual Membership Meeting.

CRA at Connections this Week

CRA's President, O.P. Almarez, gives a quick tour of the Connections Convention & Trade Show in Las Vegas, in case you missed it this year.

SoCal Regional Meeting Rescheduled for September 25th

SoCal Regional Meeting: “Common Mistakes in Water Restoration & Mold Remediation Projects.” has been rescheduled for September 25th.

The Cleaning and Restoration Association would like to invite you to our Southern California Regional Meeting on Tuesday, September 25th for a 2 hour presentation by James A. Mosier, Restoration Industry Expert Witness & Consultant.

Pricing:
CRA Members: $ 20
Non-Members: $ 35

Includes lunch sponsored by Patriot Environmental Lab Services, Inc.

“Common Mistakes in Water Restoration & Mold Remediation Projects.”

• Learn about common mistakes made in performing water damage and mold remediation projects regarding contracts, insurance, and usual and customary care practices.
• Presentation information is based on Mr. Mosier’s experience in over three decades of restoration work, consulting, investigations, and expert witness work. Mr. Mosier has over 16 years experience as an approved Superior Court and Federal Court Expert Witness for the restoration industry, and has inspected and or consulted on over 300 cases to date.
• Presentation follows guidelines and industry standards as found in the IICRC S500 and S520.

...and much more!

Visit the CRA website for more information or download the registration form.