Demolition contractors can strengthen government’s response to natural and man-made disasters by getting highly involved during the planning stages for emergencies, not after the tragedies occur, said Jeff Kroeker, president of the National Demolition Association at its annual convention in San Diego this spring.

Kroeker’s comments followed a compelling presentation by three demolition professionals who were at ground zero in Christchurch, New Zealand, following a magnitude-6.3 quake in 2011. Since Christchurch is the country’s second largest metropolitan area, the experiences of the demolition experts and the city’s leadership can provide valuable lessons to others responsible for emergency management, especially in earthquake-prone areas.

John Weber, former president of Iconco/LVI Demolition Services in Oakland, Calif. — who traveled to Christchurch to handle the disaster response — described the “immense and widespread” damage the quake did to the large city. Mark Loizeaux, president of Controlled Demolition Inc., one of the world’s leading implosion contractors, explained how government entities should remove dangerous buildings by whatever means is in the public interest to promote both worker and public safety. Peter Ward, president of Ward Demolition Ltd. headquartered in Auckland, NZ, focused on how conventional demolition means were used to take down several damaged structures, including a 26-story hotel.

The presentation showed the damage of the city, comparing the damage to other quakes and earthquake zones here in the United States, including greater Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, and potentially even Seattle.

The National Demolition Association is intent on alerting communities in the United States that may be unprepared for a Christchurch-like event, said Michael R. Taylor executive director of the association. To this end, the association has formed a disaster response committee, which has prepared a disaster response manpower and equipment survey for local and state governments to use to help them prepare in advance to help save lives, facilitate faster response, and avoid the consequences of delayed decision making. The survey is available on the association Web site in its new disaster response section.

"The U.S. Geological Survey, the science organization of the U.S. government, has predicted with a 99 percent certainty that there will be a similar magnitude earthquake in California in the next 30 years," said Taylor. "Our committee, including those experts who have been working in Christchurch for the last two years dealing with everything from downed utilities, lack of food, housing, and power, hazardous materials disposal, and the safe demolition of damaged structures can share some invaluable lessons with other communities needing assistance with disaster planning."

The National Demolition Association Web site also has made available for public viewing the convincing video produced by Ward Demolition Co. showing the damage of the earthquake, as well as the presentation he made at the convention.

For more information, visit www.demolitionassociation.com.

Today's top stories

Blalock Crews Build TDOT's $67M Newport Bypass

New Bridges Part of Iowa's $114M Madison Avenue Project

Eagle Bridge Co. Works On Final Leg of U.S. 35 Upgrade

SAKAI Achieves Record Sales, Production

Takeuchi Recognizes Top Dealers at 2024 Dealer Summit

Equip Expo's Summer Giveaway Offers a Chance for Lifetime Trade Show Registration, Gift Card, Hotel Stay

Tennessee's Pugmill Systems LLC Expands Its Product Offerings to Include Concrete Plants

ASCENDUM Machinery Opens New Savannah, Ga., Facility