Kubota Disaster Relief Team

DraftHorse · May 12, 2008

If I were to set something up, this is one way of doing it.

1st - Create a directory of Kubota owners as to how far they are willing to travel to a disaster. This directory would list the class of machine (size and capabilities), the availible attachments that can be provided (forks, grapple, box, rake etc.)

Based on this list, a call out could be created for primary relief followed by a secondary support. Primary could be for heavier equipment that would help clear roads and help restore some infastructure. Secondary could be for smaller area cleanup and abatement.

This directory would then assign the owner to a region area(s) for call out.

2nd - Equipment Support - When at a relief site, there would have to be a reliable source of repair parts for the equipment. This could be as simple as a mobile repair truck supplied by a Kubota dealer that would help keep the equipment running as well as supply required filters. There would also have to be a mobile tire repair truck availbile to repair flats.

Also a fuel truck would need to be availible for refueling equipment.

This could be easily achieved with the support of Kubota Corp and one or more of the major tire companys.

3rd - Logistics - A area would be assigned as a setup point for people to pitch tents, motorhomes etc. This area is where we would leave and return to each day. Having a single area will provide security of equipment and belongings with people who are not in the field looking after things.

Potable water, washrooms and showers as well as a field kitchen would also be setup.

4th - Liability - A blanket coverage would be provided for registered called out members.

So how would it work?

A request from a state or federal agency would be submitted to, for the sake of discussion, to Kubota Corp Disaster Center (KCDC) with a requirement for support. This request would indicate what primary support and what secondary support would be required.

KCDC would then lookup in the directory as to who and what is availible for the region area and issue a call out.

The owner would have the option to go or not (remember this is a volunteer group). If going, a packet of information would then be forwarded to the owner as to where the rally point is, what equipment is required, who the KCDC coordinator is on site as well as what logistics is availible.

Once on site, the owner would then register with the KCDC coordinator who would then assign projects accordingly.

This is just a broad overview of what would be needed in organizing something like this and is strickly my 2 cents worth,

Peter

RonR · May 12, 2008

While a noble idea, there are some logistics involved.

One of you mentioned Kansas; When the tornado hit Greensburg last year, I contacted folks through our church and had lined up 8 people, two generators, fuel, chainsaws, pry bars--all the tools we'd need, food/water, and cash to sustain us................ That was on Day 3.

We waited and waited and waited--THREE WEEKS. There were so overwhelmed with the disaster they COULDN'T deal with small groups. Plus the National Guard had to clear the streets and they had to make sure all the gas / electricity was off and remove hazardous material.

Anyway, I went out with another group for a one day trip and we cleaned up ONE YARD, which took all day using hand and power tools (no tractors). Even then, we had to attend a one day training class before going in. In the initial disaster, they need BIG equipment. Maybe later, six months or so, people could go in with a small group of tractors, but that might be iffy.

Another thing to consider: In the few days following the Greensburg tornado, the tire stores in surrounding towns brought MOST of their inventory to town, and set up shop out of their service trucks--they were working non-stop repairing and replacing tires on emergency vehicles! I'd heard that at several times, every police car in the city was immobile due to blown tires.

Some funny stuff came out about this disaster. Some very throughful group sent like 12,000 toothbrushes to town--enough for every resident of the town to have a dozen of em!

So many groups sent semi-loads of clothing, they had to turn them away--every storage facility in the region was FULL of clothing and publically BEG people to stop sending stuff. Dealing with the incoming material took up a lot of resources. Not that they were ungrateful, they were just overwhelmed.

Another group showed up in a group of semis with portable kitches (and food I assume). Said they'd cook Ten Thousand Meals a Day. Only trouble was even counting all the rescue workers, police, fire, gov't workers, and residents, that was about ten times too much! And I don't think they called first, just rolled into town (from TX as I recall). Besides, they already had a portable kitchen there and staffed by volunteers. At meal time, everyone walked to the eating area and got some food--no questions asked. They had a semi trailer tanker full of WATER.

Don't mean to rain on the parade, but just wanted to point out how tough it might be. Definitely a lot of prior coordination required.

Ron