Restoration Industry Association (RIA) hosted their second Town Hall Industry Briefing on COVID-19 via live video conference on March 19, 2020. The video is available on their website for viewing of the discussion between:
- Mark Springer - Dayspring Restoration, RIA President-Elect
- Lee King - AFTERDISASTER, RIA President
- Norris Gerhart - Gerhart & Associates, RIA ERS Chair
- Michael Pinto - Wonder Makers Environmental
- Graham Dick - Genesis Restorations Ltd., Chair of IICRC S410
- Brandon Burton - Next Gear Solutions, IICRC Standards Chairman
- Mark Drozdov - Sr. Principle Consultant
This level of collaboration between the RIA and IICRC has been a refreshing example to the restoration industry of what we can accomplish when we work together. During the 2019 International Restoration Convention + Industry Expo, the two associations signed a strategic partnership agreement enabling each organization to focus on their core mission while contributing to the good of the industry.
While the report goes into greater detail, Mr. Gerhart outlined some key considerations, for those responding to novel coronavirus clean up, which include:
- Understanding the products that you are using
- Proper training for donning and doffing PPE to prevent cross contamination
- Detailed documentation
- Outlining verification methods
The group reminded restoration contractors to understand that there is a difference between remediation protocols and an infectious control environment. For some correlation, both Johns Hopkins and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have helpful videos that discuss preparations for responding to the Ebola outbreak.
For this Town Hall Meeting, the majority of the discussion was centered around the joint release of the Preliminary Report for Restoration Contractors Assisting Clients with COVID-19 Concerns. Mr. Burton noted that even though this is a preliminary report, the joint effort by the stakeholders has been a great undertaking to produce a timely guideline with sound advice. In a situation such as SARS-Cov-2 response, minutes matter and good information is essential. Mr. Springer noted that this is intended to be a “living document” and updates will be made as new information is acquired.
- Read the Preliminary Report for Restoration Contractors Assisting Clients with COVID-19 Concerns from the RIA and IICRC
- Watch the video recap of the RIA Industry Briefing on COVID-19 Part 2 held on March 19, 2020
