The Russell Reid Company Is Now A Member Of ISNetworld!
The Russell Reid Company is proud to announce they are now members of ISNetworld. Our company strives to be active members in organizations associated with our industry in order to keep our customers informed about our qualifications and various levels of training. We believe ISNetworld will help us connect to corporations in need of waste management services.
ISNetworld is an organization that provides an online database that connects companies with contractors and suppliers from capital-intensive and public sector industries. The contractors and suppliers in the database all meet internal and governmental compliance requirements. The ISN reviews all health, safety, procurement, quality and regulatory information of the contractors and suppliers to verify the data is up to date and government approved. As clients seek out contractors and suppliers for work, ISN connects them to companies who fit the specified search requirements. Their user friendly platform allows organizations to find contractors that can meet the high standard in health and safety as well as insurance requirements.
In order to have access to this database, you must be an authorized subscriber. The features and services included in the subscription include health, safety and procurement data verification. In addition, operator/training qualifications at an individual level are available as well as the contractors work hours, incidents and driving statistics. Lastly, the training manager service allows organizations to run reports on employees who have met certain training requirements or view training courses and schedules.
As the region’s leading provider of waste services, we believe this contractor management database site will allow other corporations to access information about the various services we offer as well as provide our qualifications and different levels of training. We are excited to be members of ISNetworld and are looking forward to the new customers it will bring us.
To find out more information about ISNetworld, visit their website at https://www.isnetworld.com/.
Mr. John and Russell Reid Provide Portable Toilets and Wastewater Pumping to Those Affected by Hurricane Sandy
Are fall hurricanes becoming a trend in the Northeast? It sure seems so after the damage of Irene in 2011 and the destruction, devastation, and complete disaster of Sandy in 2012. With the impact Irene had on the tri-state area last year, the Mr. John and Russell Reid companies did not take the media advisories lightly. The company believed this storm was going to be more severe, which meant their response to storm related requests for portable toilets and wastewater services would be even more demanding.
As Hurricane Sandy quickly approached the Northeast gaining momentum, the company began planning and preparing for any and all emergency calls. Some of the preparation included checking inventory of portable restrooms and portable showers in anticipation of emergency deliveries, gathering fuel for standby generators and setting up temporary power distributions. They checked the computer backup systems to make sure nothing would be lost, set up a call chain for cell phones, and confirmed e-mail addresses. Lastly, the company preloaded all of their portable toilet delivery trailers with clean and ready to go portable toilets in anticipation of responding to calls for emergency relief services.
On Sunday, October 28th, the tri-state area slowly began to shut down. All mass transit stopped running after 7PM and all major bridges, tunnels, and highways were closed due to risks of high winds until further notice. As the fear of the storm grew, offices, shopping centers, local stores, and gas stations began closing for the night and following day as well. The Mr. John and Russell Reid Company closed all their offices on Monday, October 29th for the safety of their workers. Little did they know, the heart of the storm had yet to hit the tri-state area. Monday night people began losing power, trees were falling down, massive flooding was occurring, and all the sewage lines were beginning to back up. At this point, the response for both the Mr. John and Russell Reid Company’s was very important. Luckily, they had a plan of action and were ready to perform in order to provide temporary restrooms and wastewater pumping services.
Tuesday morning was a difficult time for many people, including the workers of the Mr. John and Russell Reid Companies.The electricity in all the offices was out, and emergency calls for portable toilets and waste removal services started to come in. Fortunately, the company was very prepared and ready to respond. As some people were unable to get to work due to damage from the storm, those who made it rose to the occasion. The field service technicians worked hard to fulfill storm related requests despite the dreadful circumstances. The determination and dedication to serving their customers, especially in times of an emergency, is a testament to the quality of work the Mr. John and Russell Reid Companies provide.
Some of the emergency calls the Mr. John and Russell Reid Company received included working closely with the Port Authority to remove storm water from the Holland Tunnel. This required working through the night and weekend to pump all excess water in order to reopen the tunnel to the public. Russell Reid also helped industrial waste water users to manage their output while sewer treatment plants were off line. They were also cleaning storm and sanitary sewer systems to allow normal flows. In addition, the extreme flooding that occurred all over the coast line created a huge demand for cleaning out catch basins and storm drains. Everything was backed up due to the massive amount of sand in the streets. There were also hundreds of temporary restrooms delivered throughoutNew Jersey and NY in response to power outages, destroyed homes, and lack of running water.
Hurricane Sandy has had a huge impact on the tri-state area, especially hard hit areas near the shorelines.Most people were without power for days, but others have lost homes, belongings, pets, cars, etc. The Mr. John and Russell Reid Companies are pleased to have been able to respond to the emergency calls and continue to provide portable toilet and waste related services as the area attempts to get back to normal. Thanks to the hard-working, dedicated staff that was able and willing to respond to customers’ needs regardless of the challenges and issues that rose due to the effects of Hurricane Sandy. The effective plan of emergency action has allowed the company to once again provide quality services in times of crisis.
Contech Construction Products Inc. Names Russell Reid a Preferred Maintenance Service Provider
Contech Construction Products is a company that has offered civil engineering materials for projects such as bridges, drainage improvement, erosion control, storm water filtration, roadways, and retaining walls since 1986. Contech’s line of storm water filtration systems prevents debris and pollutants from entering ground and surface water. This allows any site to function efficiently while complying with State and Federal environmental regulations.
Contech offers different types of storm water management options, such as the CDS, Vortech, and StormFilter systems. Contech suggests that these systems be inspected at a minimum two times a year. Additional inspections may be necessary for filtration systems in locations where winter sanding, equipment wash downs, or where high amounts of refuse accumulate. These conditions may cause a higher volume of buildup and debris in the filters. When cleaning is necessary, a technician will need to enter the storm system, empty and replace the old filters and remove any additional sediment using a vacuum truck.
Contech’s products require specific equipment and skills to inspect and maintain. To ensure the quality and functionality of their equipment Contech Construction Products has selected the Russell Reid Company as a Preferred Service Maintenance Provider for the Tri-State area. Our company’s specialized service background makes us a perfect fit for servicing CDS, Vortech and StormFilter systems. We operate a fleet of specialized Sewer Cleaning Vacuum Trucks engineered to clean and maintain sewer and storm water collection systems. Our highly trained service technicians are OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act) certified to perform Confined Space Entry. The Russell Reid Company takes pride in performing work with the highest safety standards in the industry.
“Contech Construction Products Inc. has chosen Russell Reid to become our Preferred Service Provider for New Jersey on account of their industry knowledge and willingness to step out into the forefront of the Storm water Maintenance Industry,” says John R. Brown Jr., Contech Maintenance Director in the Eastern United States. He adds “We take comfort in knowing our Storm Filter owners/managers will receive the best service and knowledge the industry has to offer.”
Russell Reid is proud to be named as a Contech Preferred Maintenance Service Provider. We look forward to providing all Contech Construction Product customers with exceptional service for many years to come.
Russell Reid Waste Management Holds Annual Holiday Charity Raffle
It is usually during the holiday season when we begin to shift our focus from ourselves and turn towards others. It is a time of giving and a time to promote the holiday spirit. It is during this time that Russell Reid Waste Management holds their annual Holiday Charity Raffle.
This year’s winner, the FISH Hospitality Program, serves homeless women and families by providing shelter and meals, and helps them to obtain housing, jobs, medical services, and other assistance in order to give them a new opportunity to live independently in their communities. This worthwhile organization was nominated by a very special employee; someone who carries the holiday spirit all year; someone who selflessly donates time and resources to help others less fortunate on a regular basis. This employee is Peggy Lewicki who works in our Accounts Receivable Department in Russell Reid’s Keasbey Headquarters.
Peggy has been volunteering for various charities for many years. She spends every weekend working at her Church, assisting in the nursery and spending time with families of the FISH Hospitality Program. She also delivers clothing and food to local pantries/kitchens and encourages her children to participate. While there are many reasons people volunteer, Peggy says she believes in “Paying it Forward.” “You will find the reasons people volunteer on the faces of those who need help” she said. “ I see it all the time, and am so grateful to be able to offer that comfort and to see the smile on the innocent faces of children when you provide the smallest gesture.“
Peggy also instills compassion in her children. “I want them to understand that life doesn’t always go your way. Anyone can end up in a bad situation and when they do, others need to be there to help pick up the pieces. It’s what anyone would want if faced with that hardship.”
It was an especially happy moment when Peggy’s charity was selected in the annual Russell Reid/Mr. John holiday raffle. Peggy was thrilled that the FISH Hospitality Program was selected to receive the donation; a check for $2500.00 that will help them continue their good work.
Russell Reid/Mr. John has been providing local charities with holiday donations in lieu of holiday cards and customer gifts for the past several years. This program was started during the economic downturn and has become an annual tradition that employees and customers alike greatly appreciate. “We are so grateful to our customers,” said Viola Sarkantyus, Marketing Manager. “It is because of them that we are able to provide this gift each year and we are pleased to be able to honor them in such a meaningful way”.
New Grease Trap Maintenance Plans Are Here!
We are pleased to announce the availability of grease trap maintenance plans for our restaurant and food service customers. The new maintenance plans offer a great way to control costs while keeping maintenance on track.
Three plans are available for exterior grease traps and range from cost effective to comprehensive, depending on the level of protection desired. They include scheduled grease trap cleaning and inspection as well as scheduled jetting services. The higher level plans include bio treatment as well as an overflow guarantee. Customers pay only one low price each month and are able to stabilize maintenance costs for their grease trap and drain lines.
Contact us for more information or for an enrollment form today!
Russell Reid Equipment Used in Lifesaving Rescue Operation
For the most part, an industrial vacuum truck is known for being a workhorse on the jobsite, cleaning debris from pipelines, sewer cleaning and flushing, industrial vacuuming, and hydro-excavation. This type of truck is used extensively as part of the operations of Russell Reid in Keasbey, New Jersey. But the Vac-Con’s capabilities – as well as Russell Reid’s use of it – has taken another significant purpose: helping to save people whose lives are potential endangered by a confined space incident.
Such was the case on April 25, when Russell Reid was called into service after a man in Union Township, New Jersey became trapped in aggregate in a paver manufacturing facility’s below-grade storage pit. He had entered the pit – shaped like a funnel - to unclog a jam at it unloading gate. As the employee did so, free-flowing piles of stone suddenly engulfed him and buried him waist deep, according to Gary Breuer, Rescue Training Officer for the Flemington - Raritan Rescue Squad and OEM Deputy Coordinator for the Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force.
The employee worked for nearly an hour to free himself as he yelled for help. Co-workers, finally heard his shouts, rushed to his aid. After their efforts to free him instead caused more material to slide down and further bury him, they called 911. Rescue teams from various municipalities arrived on the scene and provided a harness to the man. It was to a lifeline that was tensioned slightly to prevent him from sliding deeper in the loose material. Rescue personnel started removing the stone by hand via buckets. Trench panels were secured to prevent additional material piled high above from sliding down onto the victim.
In the meantime, Flemington-Raritan’s Trench Rescue Unit (TRU) was dispatched for the use of a RescueVac system. A call also went out to Russell Reid’s Glen Gardner Service Center Manager Rich Wyble, requesting use of the Vac-Con. Mr. Wyble jumped into the jet vacuum truck and arrived at the site as soon as possible. “Flemington-Raritan Rescue brought in their equipment and within 10 minutes, we were all hooked up and got rolling,” says Mr. Wyble.
The Vac-Con was paired with the RescueVac, which combines pneumatic, vacuum and safety devices to quickly aerate and remove soil, water, mud and sand and other collapsed materials from rescue sites. That not only saves time, but creates safer working conditions for rescuers encountering difficulties dealing with ground water and mud in the bottom of a trench, as water can weaken trench walls even further. Together, the equipment becomes a powerful rescue tool at the scene of a collapse, entrapment or engulfment.
The RescueVac equipment consists of 4” and 8” diameter vacuum hoses and special nozzles to work in close proximity to buried victims and is powered by suction and air movement provided by the Vac-Con truck. The powerful Vac-Con truck can be located more than 200 feet away from the trench with the use of the RescueVac extension hoses. The RescueVac system also includes a special emergency vacuum relief valve enabling rescuers to immediately cut the vacuum to the nozzle when necessary.
After the RescueVac was quickly assembled and placed into operation for the rescue efforts at the stone pit, a rope system was attached to the tower ladder to aid in positioning the suction nozzle. While the 4” diameter system was initially used near the victim for better control, the free-flowing stone was hampering the rescue effort. In order to speed up the operation, the 8” system was brought in.
In less than 10 minutes, the RescueVac powered by the Russell Reid vacuum truck, had cleared down to the victim's shoes. Meanwhile, the system’s speed in clearing debris enabled rescuers to remain safely outside the pit. A ladder was placed next to the man, who pulled his feet free and climbed up the ladder, where he was met by rescue personnel who transported him to the hospital for additional evaluation.
It wasn’t the first time that Russell Reid employees would work together with Hunterdon County Technical Rescue Task Force personnel to utilize the Vac-Con as a rescue tool. Late last year, David Dam, Russell Reid’s Executive Vice President, and Justin Seals, a field service technician for the company, educated rescue workers from the task force on how best to utilize the Vac-Con/RescueVac system during a trench collapse emergency during a rescue rehearsal.
The combined approach reduces the time rescue workers recover trench collapse victims by 75 percent compared to the traditional rescue methods, such as soil removal by hand. That shaves hours off of the time needed to save a victim trapped in a trench collapse, with that time potentially creating the difference between a rescue and a recovery, Mr. Breuer points out.
The Flemington-Raritan Rescue Squad owns one of two RescueVac systems in New Jersey. Mr. Breuer had initially contacted Russell Reid for training because of the company’s experience running a Vac-Con and its significant presence in the tri-state area, offering the ability for a quick response. After last fall’s training, Mr. Breuer was so impressed with Russell Reid’s assistance that he added the company to the county’s emergency resource list in the event of an actual incident, which eventually occurred at the stone pit.
“The previous practice session better prepared us for this emergency because our personnel had a working knowledge and hands-on experience with the RescueVac system and knew how powerful the Russell Reid vacuum trucks are,” says Mr. Breuer. “As soon as personnel saw the situation they were facing, the call was made to Russell Reid for their vacuum truck because we knew it was the key to moving large amounts of material very quickly.”
The previous practice drill had been a “big help” in being able to stage the rescue efficiently and successfully, Mr. Wyble notes, adding that he was “amazed” to watch the events unfold, with the vacuum truck playing a critical role in the rescue efforts. “This whole excavation was done with a truck meant to clean out sewer systems,” he points out. In addition to Mr. Wyble, other Russell Reid employees involved in the rescue effort include Alvin Chernesky, Brian Stevens, and Jerry Spargo.
The outcome for the trapped man would have been different had the vacuum truck not be used in the rescue efforts, Wyble says. “It would absolutely have taken a lot longer,” he says. “The other pits that were there were a good 25 to 30 feet deep. If anything started to break loose from underneath them, he could have been sucked down even further. He could very well have suffocated. He was quite grateful to get out of there.”
The positive outcome of this rescue was the direct result of teamwork between all of the personnel involved, notes Mr. Breuer. “Specialized training and equipment proved their worth during this incident,” he says. “Cooperation between the emergency services and the Russell Reid Company was a key to success.”
Mr. Breuer says his rescue team plans on conducting additional training with Russell Reid to increase the awareness of each other's equipment and resources.
Russell Reid Offers New Product to Control Drain Flies
We are pleased to announce a new biological product for controlling drain flies in restaurant and food service establishments. We have added DrainGel to our line of environmentally safe biological products. Restaurants and food service establishments often experience drain fly infestation due to accumulation of organic material in drain lines, cracks, crevices and other non drain sites. The drain fly larva feed off of this material and creates infestation if not properly controlled. Treating these sites with ordinary drain cleaners, hot water, detergents, bleach, or ammonia is ineffective and environmentally harmful. These chemicals can also enter the grease trap and kill the colony of bacteria necessary for it to function properly, causing the potential for backups and blockages. The safest and most effective solution for drain fly problems is to use a biological product that will work to eliminate the biological material in breeding sites without causing harm to other necessary infrastructure.
DrainGel is a highly concentrated gel containing specialized microorganisms in combination with biological support ingredients and essential growth factors. The formulation is environmentally safe, works in both aerobic and anaerobic environments and will not disrupt the proper functioning of grease traps or drain lines. Its thick formula clings to the sides of drains and pipes and can be easily sprayed into cracks, crevices and other non drain sites to eliminate drain fly breeding sites.
"Our restaurant and food service customers often experience problems with drain flies, odors and other issues related to the build-up of organic materials in their establishments" said Eric Niemeyer, Russell Reid Food Service Account Specialist. "We are pleased to be able to offer DrainGel to assist our customers with these issues. DrainGel's formula was designed specifically for this problem and is a safe and effective solution to control drain flies and other problems associated with the build-up of organic material."
To find out more, contact us today or place an online order DrainGel All Natural Drain Fly Controller now!
