Giving Back to Those Who Give Their All
After Engine Company10/Ladder Company 10 was severely damaged during the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001, John Dierks, Vice President of Dierks Heating Company, Inc., an HVAC contractor, wanted to give something back to the men and women of the New York City Fire Department who gave so much on that fateful day.
Dierks' idea was to reach out to the downtown Manhattan firehouse by arranging for the donation of equipment and labor from a variety of industry sources to restore the building's HVAC system.
Dierks Heating Company, Inc. performed the HVAC work at Engine Company 10/Ladder Company 10 at no cost to the Fire Department. They also contacted additional subcontractors, wholesalers, suppliers, and associates, and encouraged them to get involved in the donation effort. Major manufacturers such as Bell & Gossett, Carrier, McQuay and Milwaukee Valve, as well as the Mechanical Contractors Association of New York donated equipment. The total value of donated equipment and time is estimated to be more than $400,000.
On June 10, 2005, the contractors and suppliers were invited to attend a ceremony at which the Fire Department presented them with plaques recognizing their contributions toward rebuilding the firehouse. All of the contractor and supplier companies donated their products and time free of charge.
Source: Xylem Inc.