Does anyone on TDR know if they need men and machines

[barbwire]

My Uncle and I were thinking of taking machinery to one or more of the southern states to help with the cleanup and rebuild from the hurricanes. Does anyone know if there is a need for more, or is the places swamped with contractors already? What are the major needs in that area? Any input is welcome. Thanks to all. And Happy Thanksgiving.

 

[tugboatphil]

Barbwire,



From a few friends in trucking, it seems that the more rural areas are not seeing a great rush of resources, as they are going to the bigger areas. They also do better by contracting through private relief agencies and local groups, rather than messing with FEMA.



Try contacting the State Emergency Departments for more info. FEMA seems to be gridlocked. Good Luck!

 

[dlange]

All I can say is be extremely careful. A couple friends went down with some excavators and track loaders. 2 weeks later and $20,000 in the hole they came home. It seems there are tons of "contractors" taking over 65% of fema $$ and hardley paying the great people actually doing the work. These friends of mine talked to fema coordinators and they said there was nothing thhey could do. (kickbacks) Not trying to rain on this subject, but just be careful down there. I'm still planning to go and help RAMMIN ON with his place. Those people need all the help they can get. -Dave

 

[JR2]

I have a buddy up here in AK that quit his oil field job, bought a big chipper and a dump truck and went to Flordia. This was last year during the hurricane season. He came back to AK for the summer and bought a huge boat and a new house. Now he is gone again. There must be some $$ in it.



Like was mentioned above, I think I would find someone to work for other than FEMA or there contractors. I would be that there are lots of people who have $$ who need work done.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Most of the debris is cleaned up here, biggest need is probably for carpenters and roofers now. I think you need to have inside connections to get hooked up with hauling and such. A lot of the work is contracted then subbed several time from what I have seen and heard. Some of the guys on the bottom are getting screwed. It's a mad, mad world out there. The guys with the big tandem dual goose neck trailers made some good money but again, you have to know/contact the right people to get hooked up. bg