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NACA News is an electronic communication published periodically to communicate the activities and initiatives of the North American Concrete Alliance.

October 10, 2005

NACA Members Respond to Gulf Coast Hurricanes

REBUILDING AND RECOVERY

Contractors Willing to Train Workers

CFA Concrete Homes Council members have said they are willing to set up satellite operations in the Gulf area to construct homes and train workers there to build using RCF's (Removable Concrete Forms). Contact Ed Sauter.

NRMCA Explores Habitat Demo Projects

NRMCA met with Habitat for Humanity on October 10 to discuss rebuilding efforts. Concepts discussed include product contributions and demonstration projects. Contact Kathleen Carr-Smith.

EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

PCA, ICFA Explore Homebuilder Training Programs

ICFA and PCA are meeting with Home Builders Institute this week to explore developing training programs for ICF construction. Contact Joe Lyman.

NRMCA Members Offer Employment to Katrina Victims

NRMCA member companies are offering temporary and permanent employment for workers displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Visit http://www.nrmca.org/tempjobs/. Contact Kathleen Carr-Smith.

NRMCA Explores DoL Grants for Contractor Training

NRMCA is working with the US Department of Labor (DoL) to fund labor training including ready mixed truck drivers, flatwork finishers, road-builders, above-grade wall contractors, masonry contractors, etc. Many NACA members are providing information about their training programs and this information will be compiled and provided to DoL for funding consideration. Contact Lionel Lemay.

CODES AND RESEARCH

Mississippi Group Commissions Hurricane Damage Study

MCIA (Mississippi Concrete Industry Association) is contracting with several professors at Mississippi State University to conduct investigation of hurricane damage in Mississippi. They will produce a report of findings and develop code recommendations. They will also conduct a series of workshops to educate and get feedback on the recommendations. Contact Robert Varner.

NCMA Helping to Revise Hurricane Building Standard

NCMA is working with Institute for Building and Home Safety (IBHS) to promote stricter codes in affected states. IBHS has been talking with FEMA about funding the cost for updating and reprinting SSTD 10 (Standard for Hurricane Resistant Construction) but has not yet received a commitment from FEMA. The estimated total cost is about $16,000. IBHS would welcome contributions from "partners" on the order of $2,000 to $2500 in the event that the FEMA funding does not come through. The other partners so far are the Window and Door Manufacturers Association, Simpson Strong Tie, International Code Congress, Solutia, and State Farm. Visit http://www.ibhs.org/building_codes/. Contact Bob Thomas.

PCA Participates in Hurricane Data Collection

PCA is working on a codes plan in response and is suggesting affected states adopt 2003 IBC (commercial) and 2003 IRC (residential). Steve Skalko of PCA was involved in field data collection in Mississippi in Katrina aftermath organized by IBHS. IBHS plans to make their investigation report available. Contact Steve Szoke.

MEDIA RELATIONS

NRMCA Responds to National Papers on Code Issues

NRMCA sent a letter to the editors of 30 major national newspapers on October 5 authored by Bob Garbini indicating the importance of adopting and enforcing model building codes for commercial and residential construction. NRMCA and its PR firm are working on a detailed communications plan. NRMCA is preparing a press release about NRMCA's support for funding HR 3980 (National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act) that is scheduled to be issued this week. Concrete and Concrete Products Industry Responds to Gulf Coast Disasters. Contact Kathleen Carr-Smith.

Industry Backgrounder Under Developement

NRMCA and PCA are working together to develop an industry backgrounder for media identifying organizations, media contacts, and technical contacts. Contact Lionel Lemay.

PCA Responds to Wall Street Journal, Issues Media Advisory

PCA sent a letter to the Wall Street Journal in response to an article on building codes published on September 30. A media advisory on codes and standards was issued on Wednesday, October 5. PCA has three items on the economic effects of Katrina on cement supply and demand: A news release, a Q&A, and a detailed report by PCA Chief Economist Ed Sullivan. Visit www.cement.org. PCA is working on a media relations plan. Contact Bruce McIntosh.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

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LINKS

USATODAY.com - Rebuilding after Katrina to take monumental effort

Bob Villa's Hurricane House

www.ibhs.org/newsroom/view.asp?id=436

www.windhazards.org/update.cfm

www.fema.gov

North American Concrete Alliance

Aggregate & Concrete Executives (ACE)
American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA)
American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPipeA)
American Concrete Pumping Association (ACPumpA)
American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC)
Concrete Foundations Association (CFA)
Concrete Homes Council (CHC)

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI)
Insulating Concrete Form Association (ICFA)

Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI)
National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA)
National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA)
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA)
Portland Cement Association (PCA)
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)
Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA)

Questions about NACA News?
Contact: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101, LLemay@nrmca.org