News

Cape Canaveral, FL – A series of hurricanes and a rain-drenching tropical storm during late August and September prompted support missions by IAP’s Global Emergency Services Division, which holds the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract for emergency power, ice and water year-round during such disasters throughout the United States and its territories.

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee caused widespread damage and flooding that have led to Federal Disaster Declarations that impact multiple counties in a dozen U.S. states and Puerto Rico. In the same timeframe, Hurricane Katia caused higher than normal tides and rip currents along the Atlantic Coast.

Through the Corps’ Advance Contracting Initiative, IAP coordinated bottled water deliveries totaling 246 truckloads, or more than 4.5 million liters of water, and deployed more than 100 power experts to activate emergency generators throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maryland. The Emergency Services division also delivered a dozen truckloads of bottled water and bagged ice to the Commonwealth of Virginia during that state’s flooding response.

In late August, Hurricane Irene alone was responsible for 40 deaths and damage estimates ranging from $7 billion to upwards of $15 billion. Flooding caused by Irene was particularly severe throughout the New England states, with Tropical Storm Lee then following right on its heels to cause flood damage along that storm’s path through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Lee’s track then took it over Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York, which were already saturated from Irene, resulting in historic flooding.

The ground was so saturated in New Jersey that IAP truck drivers had to be resourceful and find other routes when delivering water to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which was a staging ground where the Army Corps of Engineers could then transfer and distribute relief supplies in coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

“When you see the devastation it’s always heartbreaking, but our attitude is that we know we are part of the solution to get the right product to the people impacted by the disaster,” says Ronald Smith, Director, Global Emergency Services. “The whole crew here is on board and we’re constantly monitoring weather reports during a series of storms such as what we just experienced.”

IAP activated its Field Operations Management System, which involves deploying specially trained personnel in Mobile Command Centers outfitted with all the computer equipment, communications systems and satellite uplinks needed in the field. Shipments are tracked real time using the company’s Satellite Tracking System, which relies on portable Global Positioning System (GPS) transponders placed on every truck to track its location. The system and crews are on stand-by status to maintain readiness throughout the Atlantic hurricane season, which runs through November 30.

IAP Worldwide Services, Inc. is a leading international contractor providing global mission support for commercial industries, the Department of Defense, and other U.S. government agencies. The Company operates in three lines of business: Global Operations and Logistics, Base Operations Support Services, and Professional and Technical Services.

IAP’s corporate headquarters is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and the company employs more than 7,000 people at over 120 locations worldwide. IAP’s website can be accessed at www.iapws.com.