Cat® Dealers and Customers Providing Machines in Aftermath of Disasters
August 21, 2018
The estimated distance between the state of California and the Indonesian island of Lombok is 8,452 miles. Their respective cultures, languages, geography and people are very different. However, these two distinctive locations currently share an unfortunate challenge – battling deadly natural disasters. In both places, Cat® dealers and Cat machines are helping in the daily struggle to provide relief and recovery to the people and property horribly impacted.
Lombok Indonesia Earthquakes
Following a 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Lombok on August 5, another 6.2-magnitude tremor struck the island on August 9. The death toll has surged to 436 people with another 1,447 people injured and authorities estimating 350,000 who are displaced. Trakindo – the Cat dealer in Indonesia – is actively participating in the rescue and recovery efforts with AMNT, one of its major customers in the region. Three excavators were sent to Lombok with potentially more machines on the way. Trakindo’s relief team also are assisting in the humanitarian crisis looming in Lombok, where thousands are in desperate need of clean water, food, medicine and shelter.
California Wildfires
Wildfires continue to devastate multiple areas throughout the state of California. With at least 10 people dead and nearly 800,000 acres burned so far, the fires have been difficult to contain with high winds, high temperature and extremely dry conditions. Bulldozers are an intregal part of the battle against large blazes pushing aside shrubs, brush, grass and trees so the advancing flames meet bare dirt and have nothing to consume. Quinn Company is Southern & Central California’s Cat dealer and has been offering support and equipment being used to fight on the front lines of the wildfires. Peterson Cat sprung into action in late July when the Carr Fire erupted – one of the largest fires in the history of the state – serving fleets of machines and trucks battling the fires threatening the town of Redding and surrounding communities. Peterson’s Redding team from the parts counter, field techs, and service team were working around the clock to make sure the dozers being used were prepped and ready to run on the fire’s front lines.
Legacy of Lending A Helping Hand
The crises currently playing out in California and Indonesia are the latest examples of our Cat dealers and customers getting involved when they are needed most. Over the decades, the dealers, customers and Caterpillar have stepped up to help anywhere around the globe when disaster strikes – be it an earthquake, wildfire, hurricane, tsunami or flood – sending in equipment, personnel and other resources to help those adversely affected from a catastrophic situation.
Caterpillar Foundation & Red Cross Partner to Provide Relief
The Caterpillar Foundation is a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). This program provides a funding base that allows the Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families impacted by global disasters. This model has proven to be efficient and effective in immediately meeting disaster relief needs, ensuring the Red Cross has the funds to prepare for disasters before they occur. In addition to our investment in the ADGP, employee, retiree and dealer employee contributions to the American Red Cross are eligible for matching by the Caterpillar Foundation.
