Friday, August 18, 2023

I just learned that Case has teamed up with Team Rubicon, and 2 Case dealerships train volunteers to operate heavy equipment for its veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during and after disasters and crises.


 two of the interested CASE dealers: RPM Machinery, out of their Franklin, Indiana, location; and Lawrence Equipment, at their Roanoke, Virginia, store. On a monthly basis, these dealers provide machines for Team Rubicon volunteers to train on, an indoor classroom and outdoor operating space.

CASE deploys machinery through its dealer network to numerous disaster response and community service projects across North America

“As soon as we heard about the need to help train more heavy equipment operators, we raised our hand,” says Dustin Cole, executive vice president of Lawrence Equipment. “We’re very active in our local communities and want to ensure Virginia is prepared if disaster strikes, as well as help train volunteers to deploy wherever they are needed throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

CASE deploys machinery through its dealer network to numerous disaster response and community service projects across North America

Team Rubicon’s volunteers, which go by “Greyshirts,” register for the monthly training and learn how to operate compact track loaders and excavators. “One of the most critical tasks after disasters strike is getting much-needed resources to that area. Our Greyshirts, including sawyers and heavy equipment operators, help clear trees and debris from roads, allowing first responders and survivors to regain access to the community,” says William Porter, director of operations support, Team Rubicon.

As an example, mere hours after Hurricane Ian hit Florida in 2022, Team Rubicon — with the help of heavy equipment — conducted 37 route clearance events, removing about 660 dump trucks’ worth of debris and a total of 131 obstructions. “Having more trained heavy equipment operators increases the capacity of Team Rubicon to provide this essential assistance for communities, allowing survivors to move toward the path to recovery,” continues Porter.

This training has been put to use by Team Rubicon in all phases of the disaster cycle across the United States, including wildfire mitigation, hurricane response and long-term storm recovery.

CASE and Team Rubicon plan to expand the number of dealers participating in this heavy equipment operator training program in 2024.

Founded following the Haiti earthquake in 2010, Team Rubicon has grown to more than 160,000 volunteers across the United States and has launched over 1,100 operations domestically and internationally.

To become a Greyshirt and pursue a path of heavy equipment certification for their missions, and sign up as a volunteer https://teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer/

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