Kubota Disaster Relief Team
- Thread starter sjbasin
- Start date
- Views: 2828
Bob_Young
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2002
- Messages
- 1,244
- Location
- North of the Fingerlakes - NY
- Tractor
- Ford 4000; Ford 2000(both 3cyl.);JD40; 2004 Kubota L4300; 2006 Kubota B7610; new 2007 Kubota MX5000
They're all busy in Muyanmar right now. Except for KeithInSpace who is working from this end with his PHD to help drain the flood waters. 
Bob
Bob
ChuckinNH
Elite Member, R.I.P.
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2003
- Messages
- 3,081
- Location
- NH
- Tractor
- (B2620, had BX22) Simplicity Legacy w/48" mmm
Bob_Young said:They're all busy in Muyanmar right now. Except for KeithInSpace who is working from this end with his PHD to help drain the flood waters.
Bob
That was great Bob!
MarkV
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2000
- Messages
- 5,698
- Location
- Cedartown, Ga and N. Ga mountains
- Tractor
- 1998 Kubota B21, 2005 Kubota L39
sjbasin said:
Never heard of one. I went down to Mississippi after Katrina with my L39 for a while and there were some Kubota痴 working in the area. The hard part is finding a place to stay and fuel. You pretty much have to arrive self contained with a fuel supply and camper. Even then empting holding tanks, finding water and food were an issue.
MarkV
Aquaman
Silver Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2007
- Messages
- 187
- Tractor
- Kubota BX24
This sounds like a pretty good idea. An army of machines that were coordinating their efforts could probably do alot of good in the area that just experienced the tornado damage. I wouldn't know how to organize something like that but I'll bet some of the readers on this forum would. Something to think about....
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
You kill me.Bob_Young said:
Try as I may...perhaps I need the new 2660.
In all seriousness, I could qualify for the 'disaster relief' offer. We've gotten over 11 inches of rain in the past month and over 6 INCHES IN THE PAST 5 DAYS (over 2 inches last Thursday and over 2 inches last night). It has put us on notice to the damage excessive water can do, even in a brand new house.
We had a series of circumstances that led to a small amount of water in the house, our sump pump being overwhelmed (supplamented with another 1/2 HP pump I have on hand to get it under control), and the water table around our house rising to the point that we had water seeping in the basement walls.
Project #1 when it stops raining (which won't be until next weekend May 17th at least) is doubling my sump pump discharge capacity and adding a battery powered backup sump pump.
Project #2 is burying all roof leaders from the house in hard-pipe drains that extend >30 feet from the basement walls to diminish the amount of roof water getting into my underslab french drain system (which goes to the sump pump and has to be pumped out). I just have too much rainwater soaking in 5 feet from the basement walls that comes straight off the roof.
THEN I'll get back to augering my way to Muyanmar. I was well on my way last time...
KeithInSpace
Veteran Member
I'd definitely love to do it...I'd love to know if someone had the capability of organizing such a request. Seems it would need to be in concert with some local or Red Cross agency to make sure it isn't more hurt than help.Aquaman said:
Not that I'd ship my machine to a military dictatorship and wait on the border at Thailand or whatever for the warlords to let me in...Kansas sounds more do-able.
Baby Grand
Elite Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2007
- Messages
- 4,663
- Location
- Windsor, CT.
- Tractor
- Kubotas: L3240GST B2320HST B5100D & G5200H
'Botas without Borders?
Aquaman
Silver Member
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2007
- Messages
- 187
- Tractor
- Kubota BX24
Bota Brigade??
CBW1999
Platinum Member
- Joined
- May 11, 2008
- Messages
- 832
- Tractor
- Kubota 7510, Toro Groundsmaster 217D
GREAT IDEA!!!
To support my tractor habit- I happen to work in Emergency Medical Services full time, so I have some input on how to start something like this.
It is hard to start at the national level, but the local level is ideal to begin. Several options are available. In our area, the 2 organizations that would be a starting place are the local emergency planning commission.
Their role is to organize and catalog all available resources. As an example, our county has a complete listing of personell, resources and equipment available from EMS, Fire Service, Public works etc.
The second that comes to mind is the local community emergency response team (CERT). Volunteers organized to assist as needed at the local county or statewide level for a variety of needs.
The one thing to avoid is developing a "rougue program" and just showing up to help. Even though this is in the sense of volunteering, there have been too many examples of fly by night help showing up and "helping" for a fee. it would be difficult nowadays to just show up and not be turned around.
My brother, an Arborist actually registered as a business and contacted the better business bureau before going down to assist with Hurricane Katrina. This opened up a lot for him as municipalities would only source through channels that had verifiable information.
One last thought- The "Southern Baptist's" used to provide a lot of disaster relief (food/Shelter) mobile operations. If they still do this, maybe contacting them for guidance/suggestions/ offerring help might work as well.
let me know what you think!
To support my tractor habit- I happen to work in Emergency Medical Services full time, so I have some input on how to start something like this.
It is hard to start at the national level, but the local level is ideal to begin. Several options are available. In our area, the 2 organizations that would be a starting place are the local emergency planning commission.
Their role is to organize and catalog all available resources. As an example, our county has a complete listing of personell, resources and equipment available from EMS, Fire Service, Public works etc.
The second that comes to mind is the local community emergency response team (CERT). Volunteers organized to assist as needed at the local county or statewide level for a variety of needs.
The one thing to avoid is developing a "rougue program" and just showing up to help. Even though this is in the sense of volunteering, there have been too many examples of fly by night help showing up and "helping" for a fee. it would be difficult nowadays to just show up and not be turned around.
My brother, an Arborist actually registered as a business and contacted the better business bureau before going down to assist with Hurricane Katrina. This opened up a lot for him as municipalities would only source through channels that had verifiable information.
One last thought- The "Southern Baptist's" used to provide a lot of disaster relief (food/Shelter) mobile operations. If they still do this, maybe contacting them for guidance/suggestions/ offerring help might work as well.
let me know what you think!
DraftHorse
Silver Member
If I were to set something up, this is one way of doing it.
1st - Create a directory of Kubota owners as to how far they are willing to travel to a disaster. This directory would list the class of machine (size and capabilities), the availible attachments that can be provided (forks, grapple, box, rake etc.)
Based on this list, a call out could be created for primary relief followed by a secondary support. Primary could be for heavier equipment that would help clear roads and help restore some infastructure. Secondary could be for smaller area cleanup and abatement.
This directory would then assign the owner to a region area(s) for call out.
2nd - Equipment Support - When at a relief site, there would have to be a reliable source of repair parts for the equipment. This could be as simple as a mobile repair truck supplied by a Kubota dealer that would help keep the equipment running as well as supply required filters. There would also have to be a mobile tire repair truck availbile to repair flats.
Also a fuel truck would need to be availible for refueling equipment.
This could be easily achieved with the support of Kubota Corp and one or more of the major tire companys.
3rd - Logistics - A area would be assigned as a setup point for people to pitch tents, motorhomes etc. This area is where we would leave and return to each day. Having a single area will provide security of equipment and belongings with people who are not in the field looking after things.
Potable water, washrooms and showers as well as a field kitchen would also be setup.
4th - Liability - A blanket coverage would be provided for registered called out members.
So how would it work?
A request from a state or federal agency would be submitted to, for the sake of discussion, to Kubota Corp Disaster Center (KCDC) with a requirement for support. This request would indicate what primary support and what secondary support would be required.
KCDC would then lookup in the directory as to who and what is availible for the region area and issue a call out.
The owner would have the option to go or not (remember this is a volunteer group). If going, a packet of information would then be forwarded to the owner as to where the rally point is, what equipment is required, who the KCDC coordinator is on site as well as what logistics is availible.
Once on site, the owner would then register with the KCDC coordinator who would then assign projects accordingly.
This is just a broad overview of what would be needed in organizing something like this and is strickly my 2 cents worth,
Peter
1st - Create a directory of Kubota owners as to how far they are willing to travel to a disaster. This directory would list the class of machine (size and capabilities), the availible attachments that can be provided (forks, grapple, box, rake etc.)
Based on this list, a call out could be created for primary relief followed by a secondary support. Primary could be for heavier equipment that would help clear roads and help restore some infastructure. Secondary could be for smaller area cleanup and abatement.
This directory would then assign the owner to a region area(s) for call out.
2nd - Equipment Support - When at a relief site, there would have to be a reliable source of repair parts for the equipment. This could be as simple as a mobile repair truck supplied by a Kubota dealer that would help keep the equipment running as well as supply required filters. There would also have to be a mobile tire repair truck availbile to repair flats.
Also a fuel truck would need to be availible for refueling equipment.
This could be easily achieved with the support of Kubota Corp and one or more of the major tire companys.
3rd - Logistics - A area would be assigned as a setup point for people to pitch tents, motorhomes etc. This area is where we would leave and return to each day. Having a single area will provide security of equipment and belongings with people who are not in the field looking after things.
Potable water, washrooms and showers as well as a field kitchen would also be setup.
4th - Liability - A blanket coverage would be provided for registered called out members.
So how would it work?
A request from a state or federal agency would be submitted to, for the sake of discussion, to Kubota Corp Disaster Center (KCDC) with a requirement for support. This request would indicate what primary support and what secondary support would be required.
KCDC would then lookup in the directory as to who and what is availible for the region area and issue a call out.
The owner would have the option to go or not (remember this is a volunteer group). If going, a packet of information would then be forwarded to the owner as to where the rally point is, what equipment is required, who the KCDC coordinator is on site as well as what logistics is availible.
Once on site, the owner would then register with the KCDC coordinator who would then assign projects accordingly.
This is just a broad overview of what would be needed in organizing something like this and is strickly my 2 cents worth,
Peter
While a noble idea, there are some logistics involved.
One of you mentioned Kansas; When the tornado hit Greensburg last year, I contacted folks through our church and had lined up 8 people, two generators, fuel, chainsaws, pry bars--all the tools we'd need, food/water, and cash to sustain us................ That was on Day 3.
We waited and waited and waited--THREE WEEKS. There were so overwhelmed with the disaster they COULDN'T deal with small groups. Plus the National Guard had to clear the streets and they had to make sure all the gas / electricity was off and remove hazardous material.
Anyway, I went out with another group for a one day trip and we cleaned up ONE YARD, which took all day using hand and power tools (no tractors). Even then, we had to attend a one day training class before going in. In the initial disaster, they need BIG equipment. Maybe later, six months or so, people could go in with a small group of tractors, but that might be iffy.
Another thing to consider: In the few days following the Greensburg tornado, the tire stores in surrounding towns brought MOST of their inventory to town, and set up shop out of their service trucks--they were working non-stop repairing and replacing tires on emergency vehicles! I'd heard that at several times, every police car in the city was immobile due to blown tires.
Some funny stuff came out about this disaster. Some very throughful group sent like 12,000 toothbrushes to town--enough for every resident of the town to have a dozen of em!
So many groups sent semi-loads of clothing, they had to turn them away--every storage facility in the region was FULL of clothing and publically BEG people to stop sending stuff. Dealing with the incoming material took up a lot of resources. Not that they were ungrateful, they were just overwhelmed.
Another group showed up in a group of semis with portable kitches (and food I assume). Said they'd cook Ten Thousand Meals a Day. Only trouble was even counting all the rescue workers, police, fire, gov't workers, and residents, that was about ten times too much! And I don't think they called first, just rolled into town (from TX as I recall). Besides, they already had a portable kitchen there and staffed by volunteers. At meal time, everyone walked to the eating area and got some food--no questions asked. They had a semi trailer tanker full of WATER.
Don't mean to rain on the parade, but just wanted to point out how tough it might be. Definitely a lot of prior coordination required.
Ron
One of you mentioned Kansas; When the tornado hit Greensburg last year, I contacted folks through our church and had lined up 8 people, two generators, fuel, chainsaws, pry bars--all the tools we'd need, food/water, and cash to sustain us................ That was on Day 3.
We waited and waited and waited--THREE WEEKS. There were so overwhelmed with the disaster they COULDN'T deal with small groups. Plus the National Guard had to clear the streets and they had to make sure all the gas / electricity was off and remove hazardous material.
Anyway, I went out with another group for a one day trip and we cleaned up ONE YARD, which took all day using hand and power tools (no tractors). Even then, we had to attend a one day training class before going in. In the initial disaster, they need BIG equipment. Maybe later, six months or so, people could go in with a small group of tractors, but that might be iffy.
Another thing to consider: In the few days following the Greensburg tornado, the tire stores in surrounding towns brought MOST of their inventory to town, and set up shop out of their service trucks--they were working non-stop repairing and replacing tires on emergency vehicles! I'd heard that at several times, every police car in the city was immobile due to blown tires.
Some funny stuff came out about this disaster. Some very throughful group sent like 12,000 toothbrushes to town--enough for every resident of the town to have a dozen of em!
So many groups sent semi-loads of clothing, they had to turn them away--every storage facility in the region was FULL of clothing and publically BEG people to stop sending stuff. Dealing with the incoming material took up a lot of resources. Not that they were ungrateful, they were just overwhelmed.
Another group showed up in a group of semis with portable kitches (and food I assume). Said they'd cook Ten Thousand Meals a Day. Only trouble was even counting all the rescue workers, police, fire, gov't workers, and residents, that was about ten times too much! And I don't think they called first, just rolled into town (from TX as I recall). Besides, they already had a portable kitchen there and staffed by volunteers. At meal time, everyone walked to the eating area and got some food--no questions asked. They had a semi trailer tanker full of WATER.
Don't mean to rain on the parade, but just wanted to point out how tough it might be. Definitely a lot of prior coordination required.
Ron
SCDolphin
Gold Member
Flat Tires are another major problem for both tow vehicle and tractor itself
