the eca reporter - environmental contractors association · the eca reporter 1 pinnacle...

THE ECA REPORTERA Publication of the Environmental Contractors Association of New York City

It has been a busy year for the

Environmental Contractors Association

and we are pleased to share our latest

newsletter featuring a look back at

ECA’s recent highlights as we transition

into the New Year.

The ECA is advocating for a new

item of legislation that establishes an environmental hazard

remediation technician registration program and has recently

gained the unanimous support of the New York City Council.

The ECA partnered with Mayor Bloomberg and the Mayor’s

Office of Housing Recovery Operations in a successful initiative

to treat and remove mold in homes impacted by Hurricane

Sandy. In further support of the impact of the environmental

community on recovery efforts, the ECA hosted a special

breakfast seminar entitled, “Superstorm Sandy: A Look Back

and Ahead at Disaster Recovery,” which featured a keynote

presentation by Cas Holloway, New York City Deputy Mayor for

Operations. Due to ECA’s pioneering efforts in the remediation

community following Hurricane Sandy such as these, the City

of New York has established a Memorandum of Cooperation

between the NYC Office of Emergency Management and ECA

to plan for future environmental emergencies.

Congratulations to Pinnacle Environmental Corp. and Local 78

for receiving the 2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Societal

Concerns for the episode of “George to the Rescue”

that featured their services in the asbestos remediation

of the Grosvenor Neighborhood House YMCA in

Morningside Heights.

The ECA welcomes Morris Napolitano, President of Degmor,

Inc. as the association’s new Chairman.

We are proud to announce the formation of the Environmental

Advisory Council, an independent group of environmental

remediation professionals that will serve as a resource to the

industry and identify environmental issues and mitigation plans

through best practices that promote environmental wellness.

The ECA looks forward to continued success and progress

in 2014. In memory of Frank J. Garito, the ECA is developing

a scholarship fund to continue his outstanding impact on

the environmental community. Look out for more information

on this scholarship in January. We additionally anticipate

the growth of the ECA during the upcoming 2014

Membership Drive.

We wish you and your families happiness and health in 2014.

All the best,

Karen Grando

President

ECAENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

WIN

TER

2014

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ECA Influences Legislation Establishing Environmental Hazard Remediation Technician Registration Program

The ECA is pleased to announce the new legislation that establishes a voluntary master environmental

hazard remediation technician registration program. The ECA is advocating for this legislation as a solution

to the significant increase of asthma and other respiratory conditions as a result of asthma triggers, irritants,

pathogens, fungi and mold, including stachybotrys chartarum, soot from severe smoke or fire damage

and flood damage, mold or environmental pathogens and potentially infectious materials as defined by 29

CFR 1910, including viruses, bacteria, chemical spills and sewage. The legislation calls for a highly trained

workforce with skills across individual hazard and remediation method techniques to address these hazards

in a safe manner.

Recognizing Highly Skilled and Certified Workers

The registration program only recognizes those who are sufficiently trained to provide environmental

hazard remediation efficiently, effectively and safely, having satisfactorily completed all of the following

programs: occupational safety and health administration safety standards; New York state asbestos handler;

environmental protection agency lead worker; hazardous waste operations; microbial remediation; water

damage restoration or institute of inspection cleaning and restoration certification water damage restoration

certification; fire damage restoration or institute of inspection cleaning and restoration certification fire and

smoke restoration technician certification; polyychlorinated biphenyls awareness; bloodborne pathogens and

infection control risk assessment. These requirements for registration ensure a uniform standard of training

that will allow the citizens of New York City to have confidence that environmental hazard remediation is done

with the utmost quality and care.

After gaining the unanimous support of the New York City Council this past December, the ECA is confident

that the bill will initiate progress in the environmental remediation community and will ultimately be signed

into law. For more information on the new Environmental Hazard Remediation bill and technician registration

program, please contact Joyce Nastasi, Executive Director of the Environmental Contractors Association at

(212) 682-0062 or via e-mail at [email protected].

ECA Partners With Mayor Bloomberg For Mold Remediation Program

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the ECA collaborated with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and the Mayor’s

Office of Housing Recovery Operations on a new initiative to treat and remove mold in homes impacted by

the storm. This unique public-private partnership, coordinated by Neighborhood Revitalization NYC and

administered by Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), brought not-for-profit organizations and private

contractors—including many ECA members—together to provide mold treatments for affected households.

The initiative was a huge success and will serve as a model for future post-disaster mold remediation

programs.

Unique Public Private Partnership

The City partnered with the ECA to supply homeowners and volunteers with the guidance and proper

equipment to remove mold, distributing hundreds of heaters and dehumidifiers to relief centers in the

hardest-hit areas. This unique public-private partnership, coordinated by Neighborhood Revitalization NYC,

will bring not-for-profit organizations and private contractors—including many ECA members—together to

provide mold treatments for affected households.

Helping New York’s Families

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the initiative, “Through our first-of-its-kind Rapid Repairs program, we have

helped more than 15,000 families return to their homes. But mold remains a challenge that many residents

are confronting. Thanks to generous donations from people around the country and the world, the Mayor’s

Fund, the Red Cross and the Robin Hood Foundation have teamed up to sponsor a $15 million mold-clean-

up effort that will help thousands of families.”

Awareness and Training

In addition to the city’s direct mold treatment program, the Mayor’s Fund will sponsor free awareness and

safe practice trainings on mold treatment work.

Cas Holloway Speaks at ECA Superstorm Sandy Seminar

This past fall, the ECA hosted a special breakfast seminar, entitled Superstorm Sandy: A Look Back and

Ahead at Disaster Recovery, which featured a keynote presentation delivered by Cas Holloway, the New York

City Deputy Mayor for Operations.

The seminar recognized the individuals who came together to form an outstanding program in response to

Hurricane Sandy and highlighted the positive impact of the environmental remediation community following

the disaster. The seminar included two panel discussions, An Unprecedented Disaster with Unprecedented

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Challenges and Disaster Recovery Response: Innovative Solutions and Lessons Learned, led by industry

leaders and ECA members. Speakers included:

• Karen Grando, ECA President

• Robert Avaltroni, Four Bridges Consulting Services

• Doug Glorie, STV Inc. and Environmental Advisory Council Chair

• Gary DiPaolo, Structure Tone

• Robert Kulick, OSHA Region II Regional Administrator

• Morris Napolitano, Degmor, Inc.

• Edison Severino, Local 78—Asbestos, Lead and Hazardous Waste Laborers

• Richard Tobin, NYC Fire Department

• Daniel Zarrilli, Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning and Sustainability

• Louis Coletti, Building Trades Employers’ Association

• Brad Gair, Mayor’s Housing Recovery Office

• Richard Anderson, NY Building Congress

• Bryan Fryklund, Flood Control America

• Michael Gilsenan, NYC Department of Environmental Protection

• Steven Pirovolikos, Structure Tone

• Denise Scott, Local Initiatives Support Corporation

• Geraldine Sweeney, Mayor’s Office of Operations

The seminar offered crucial information on the innovations that the environmental remediation industry has

developed that will benefit future disaster-recovery efforts. To view photos from this event, click here: http://www.ecanyc.org/img/october2013/index.html.

ECA Develops Memorandum of Cooperation with NYC Office of Emergency Management to Improve Response to Environmental Disasters

Recognizing the ECA and its members’ landmark contributions and leadership in addressing water damage

and mold conditions in New York City homes impacted by Hurricane Sandy, the City of New York has

established a Memorandum of Cooperation between the ECA and the New York City Office of Emergency

Management (NYC OEM) to create a formal response to significant emergency conditions and events that

require a multi-agency response with the goal of improving upon the City’s existing environmental emergency

response and remediation planning and protocols.

Critical Resources to Become Available

The ECA and the NYC OEM will collaborate in the development of various plans, tools, standards, training

materials and exercises, similar to those previously produced by the ECA, to enhance environmental

emergency response on a local and regional level utilizing public and private remediation capabilities. The

ECA and the NYC OEM will develop training programs, drills, joint seminars, workshops and technical

meetings, employing the specialized expertise of the NYC OEM, the ECA and its members. The partnership

will initiate the discovery, evaluation and sharing of new technology and equipment available to environmental

response and remediation operations. The organizations will also get involved in external public and private

initiatives that support environmental response and remediation.

Looking Forward to Improved Disaster Response

The ECA is looking forward to working with the NYC OEM to prepare the City of New York with the tools and

knowledge needed to take on future disasters like Hurricane Sandy and to enhance the City’s environmental

emergency response. After the incredible success of the Rapid Repairs mold remediation initiative, the ECA

expects that the Memorandum of Cooperation will create even greater progress, and will further establish a

dependable future for environmental emergency response and remediation.

The ECA Reporter 1

Pinnacle Environmental and Local 78 Win Emmy Award For George to the Rescue Episode

We are thrilled to congratulate member contractor Pinnacle Environmental Corp., Local 78—Asbestos, Lead

& Hazardous Waste Laborers, and the NBC television series “George to the Rescue,” for having received the

2013 Emmy Award for Outstanding Societal Concerns for the episode of the series featuring the asbestos

remediation of the Grosvenor Neighborhood House YMCA in Manhattan.

Asbestos Called for Industry Experts Pinnacle and Local 78

When the “George to the Rescue” crew of contractors began the renovation of the run down YMCA kitchen

in Morningside Heights, the team discovered that all of the kitchen’s pipes were wrapped in asbestos.

This complex obstacle required the specialized expertise of Pinnacle Environmental Corp. and Local 78—

Asbestos, Lead & Hazardous Waste Laborers to remediate the asbestos with the highest possible standards

of safety and quality.

The team of industry veterans sealed off the entire room and installed new pipes, electric work, plumbing,

gas lines and ventilation systems. The contractors additionally finished the new teaching kitchen with state-

of-the-art appliances, as well as new flooring, ceiling, cabinets, counter tops and an organic herb garden.

Providing Cooking Classes and Nutritional Education for New York City

The Grosvenor Neighborhood House YMCA serves as a second home for countless residents of New York

City. The establishment is dedicated to strengthening the community by nurturing the potential of children,

promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility. The new teaching kitchen at the

Grosvenor Neighborhood House YMCA is part of the program Salsa, Sabor Y Salud, created by Latinos for

Latinos to engage the community in cooking classes and nutritional education for adults and children in New

York City.

To view this episode of George to the rescue, click here: http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/the-rescue-george-updates-a-ymca-kitchen/1d2kyhfy5

Morris Napolitano Appointed to Chairman of the ECA

Morris Napolitano, President of Degmor, Inc., has been appointed to Chairman of the ECA. Morris has

been a vital member of the association, having served on the board of directors as Vice President for many

years, and has brought extraordinary expertise and passion for the remediation community to the ECA and

greater environmental industry. He has led the association through some of its most successful projects

and achievements. Most recently, Morris was instrumental in the development of the Environmental Hazard

Remediation Bill that was passed into New York City law this December.

Morris founded Degmor, Inc. in 1988 and has been serving the New York metropolitan area with the highest

quality of environmental remediation services, specializing in disaster related damage and environmental

contamination for decades. He is a go-to source for expertise on all facets of environmental hazard

remediation, including mold remediation, Critical Point Cleaning, flood recovery and structural drying, fire

damage restoration, asbestos and lead abatement, trauma and crime scene clean up and air scrubbing,

deodorization and duct cleaning.

The ECA has achieved incredible success due to Morris’ dedicated contributions thus far and we look

forward to his leadership in his new role as Chairman.

The ECA Reporter 1

Environmental Advisory Council

We are pleased to announce the formation of the Environmental Advisory Council, an elite group of

environmental remediation professionals working toward advancing the remediation industry by creating

an open dialogue for best practices and advanced methods. The council is independent from the ECA and

will address issues ranging from asbestos abatement to pathogen contamination and reducing risk for all

facilities through effective, safe remediation.

The ECA recognized that pathogen-borne contaminants are an increasingly alarming issue in the built

environment and called on top remediation experts to form a group dedicated to promoting safety,

effectiveness and efficiency in resolving pathogen-borne crises. The advisory council members include:

• Gary DiPaolo, Vice President, Safety, Structure Tone

• Steve Pirovolikos, Safety Director, Structure Tone

• Morris Napolitano, President, Degmor Inc.

• Douglas Glorie, Senior Project Manager, STV Incorporated

• Richard Tobin, Assistant Chief of Fire Prevention, FDNY

• Uday Singh, Industrial Hygiene Consultants

• Denise Holzka, Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP

• Robert Avaltroni, ECA Advisor

• Costa Constantinides, Councilman-Elect, New York City Council, 22nd District

The council’s mission is to identify environmental issues and mitigation plans through best practices that

promote environmental wellness.

For more information about the Environmental Advisory Council, please contact Joyce Nastasi,

Executive Director of the Environmental Contractors Association at (212) 682-0062 or via e-mail at

[email protected].

Frank J. Garito Memorial Scholarship

In memory of Frank J. Garito, dear friend and founding member of ECA, we have established a scholarship

fund to benefit a child of an ECA member. Frank was recognized throughout the New York City construction

community as an industry pioneer and dedicated leader. He was CEO and President of Asbestos

Corporation of America and ACA Environmental Services of Yonkers, NY and was also active in many

construction industry trade and charitable organizations, receiving more than 40 awards for his contributions

and activity in many charitable, benevolent, fraternal, civic and youth organizations over the years.

Frank was president and a member of the Board of Directors of the Environmental Contractors Association of

New York City and served on the Board of Governors of the Building Trades Employers’ Association of New

York City. He was also President of NDR Group, a non-profit housing corporation that built over 1,200 units of

housing in New Rochelle for income-limited families.

Frank resided in Somers, NY and is survived by loving family members Frank, Jr., (Kathy) of Aliso Viejo,

California, Stephen (Maria) of New Rochelle, New York, and Roellen Bishop of Irvington, New York, as well as

grandchildren Stephanie, Leanna and Sam Garito, Weston and Jena Bishop and Isabella Rose Garito.

Please look out for more information on the scholarship this coming January.

The ECA Reporter 1

Refer A Friend to the ECA

As we enter the New Year, the ECA is pleased to announce the 2014 Membership Drive. We encourage all

members to invite other independent environmental contractors to join the association and take advantage

of the many membership benefits. While referring a friend to the ECA, feel free to share the following

advantages to joining the association:

1. ECA members pay lower rates for workers.

2. ECA members aren’t required to use the hiring hall.

3. ECA members have negotiated a special residential recovery rate.

4. ECA members have a “Most Favored Nations” clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, protecting

ECA members from the unions entering into a contract with more favorable terms than the ECA.

5. ECA members have no personal liability to the Union Trust Funds.

6. ECA members have access to city agencies regulating the environmental business standards and laws,

and New York City, State and federal policymakers.

7. ECA members benefit from the ECA’s advocacy on key legislative issues facing our industry.

Please direct any interested contractors to Joyce Nastasi, and encourage them to reach out to her at

212.682.0062 or [email protected].

The ECA is a proud and active member of the New York Building Congress, the Building Trades Employers’

Association, the Restoration Industry Association and the Environmental Information Association.

Grow Your Business In 2014

The Berman Group is pleased to offer all ECA members $500 off marketing, public relations and creative

services through December 2014. Upgrade your website, create a marketing brochure or start sharing

your successes through public relations. Please contact Sarah Berman at [email protected] or

212.450.7300.

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