Plumbers Local 27 Reacts to the Devastation in the Pittsburgh Area caused by Hurricane Ivan

No one here ever though that the recent devastating hurricanes would ever reach as far north as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but when the remnants of Hurricane Ivan swept through the Pittsburgh region on September 17th, it dumped six inches of rain in less than 12 hours onto ground already saturated by over 3 ½ inches from the rains of Hurricane Frances a few days earlier. The result was virtually unprecedented flooding and damage throughout the region, with thousands of homes and businesses damaged or destroyed, including many homes of UA members and their families, who had their basements and first floors submerged for days leaving them without shelter. Many had to be rescued by boats to escape the ravaging floodwaters and seek temporary shelter until the water subsided.

Brother Reed Martin, Business Manager of Plumbers Local 27 immediately contacted our County Executive and offered the services of his members. Together, they contacted the Salvation Army and with the cooperation from the local gas companies, who collectively donated $170,000 to purchase gas fired hot water tanks, a relief program was established. Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores sold the hot water tanks at cost and shipped them free of charge from Tennessee to Plumbers Local 27’s Union Hall and Training Center, where our plumbers were waiting to take them to those in need.

A command center was established in the local union’s boardroom, where the Business Manager, Agents, and Secretary donated many hours organizing paperwork and dispatching calls. Apprenticeship Coordinator, Patrick Landy had all the apprentices fabricating adapters and gas connectors for the hot water tanks to expedite the operations.

Business Agents Thomas Bigley and James Falconio put out the distress calls to UA members in the area to come forward and volunteer to install the heaters. Local 27 members, including retirees and unemployed responded quickly and donated their time, tools and transportation. Members from our sister locals, Steamfitters Local 449, Plumbers & Pipefitters Locals 47 and 354 and Sprinklerfitters Local 542 also offered their services. Many of our MCA contractors donated trucks and materials as well as manpower during the weeks in order to help distribute the tanks.

Our members have done an outstanding job installing these tanks, they have worked unselfishly for weeks. Our local media picked up the story and ran an article about one particular apprentice that went above an beyond the call of duty. Fourth Year Apprentice, Thad Moehring, a resident of one of the hardest hit communities, worked non-stop for two weeks, day in/day out, along with his father and brother, who are also UA members, installing hot water tanks, gas lines, water lines, and any other plumbing work needed by flood victims.

One afternoon, while installing a tank with his brother Rich, Thad slipped while tightening a gas line falling hitting his head. That was rushed to the local hospital where he received several staples to close the wound. Immediately, he returned to the senior citizens’ home to finish what he started. Overall, Brother Moehring and his family installed over 50 hot water tanks.

It is estimated that Local 27 members saved the victims of Hurricane Ivan approximately $100,000 in labor costs by volunteering the installation of over 500 water tanks.

These extraordinary efforts are a shining example of the generosity of UA members, who can quickly come together to help and assist their neighbors in a time of need.