Service Master GB News and Events

ServiceMaster Agrees to Help Boys and Girls Villages When in Disaster

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:08:03 -0400

ServiceMaster has just agreed to help the Boys and Girls Villages in Milford, Bridgeport, and Waterbury with post-disaster restorative services. ServiceMaster wants to aid the organization within four hours of their call. Although emergencies and accidents are bound to happen, ServiceMaster knows what it's like to work with disaster-relief, and how important it is for the Boys and Girls Villages to always be in working order.

To ensure the nonprofit can continually help children, their building can't go long before the necessary repairs have been made. Boys and Girls Village offers itself as a refuge to children who need a place to stay, extra help learning, an after-school program, or help adjusting to a personal crisis.

"The last thing we need is a lengthy interruption of service due to severe weather, flood or fire or other emergency," said Stephen Joffe, president and chief executive officer of Boys and Girls Village.

After helping to refurbish the Pentagon post-September 11 attacks, ServiceMaster has been committed to offering restorative services to those in need after a disaster hits. So, two years ago, Paul Plouffe, the owner of Stratford-based ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport, fermented a program called 866 Restore. This not only allows his ServiceMaster but others on the east coast to come together and assist those in need.

For more information, visit http://www.newstimes.com/business/article/ServiceMaster-vows-to-be-there-534894.php

St. Vincent's Joins 866 Recover

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 12:32:16 -0400

Bridgeport, Conn. May 18, 2010 -- St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport has become the first hospital in the state to become part of 866 Recover, a national emergency management program owned by Service Master. The new alliance between St. Vincent's and Service Master of Greater Bridgeport was announced today by both organizations. Under terms of the partnership agreement, Service Master will help the hospital assess and manage risk related to area-wide disasters such as severe weather, flooding, fire or acts of terrorism.

St. Vincent's President/ Chief Executive Officer Susan Davis, RN, EdD., said that the hospital already has extensive procedures for emergency situations and has long been conducting disaster drills with their existing risk management team and local emergency management resources. She said, "St. Vincent's is no stranger to emergency planning but this added layer of protection gives us access to national resources we did not have before. Of course we hope they are never needed." 866 Recover provides resources in case of fire, water, flooding and other interruptions to continuity of patient care.

Should an area-wide disaster take place affecting St. Vincent's operations, Service Master will provide whatever resources are necessary through its extensive network of franchises allowing the hospital to remain up and running. This means bringing in fire remediation equipment, water cleanup materials, air handling and testing equipment to prevent mold buildup in the aftermath of water damage. In addition, if an emergency takes place beyond the ability of St. Vincent's to recover immediately, it will receive priority services even at a time when similar services may be stretched to the maximum. This means the hospital will recover quicker and continue providing needed community and in-hospital patient care.

Paul Plouffe, owner of Service Master Greater Bridgeport, said 866 Recover was born out of the company's experience at the Pentagon in the aftermath of 9/11. He said, "Crews from throughout the Service Master system from Maine to Miami were brought in to help with not only the clean up and reconstruction but also for pre-loss contingency planning should something happen in the future." He added that these are the kinds of services that will be provided to St. Vincent's under terms of the agreement which applies equally to St. Vincent's off-site facilities including St. Vincent's Immediate Healthcare Centers and St. Vincent's Behavioral Health Services.

866 Recover services include fire and smoke restoration, water damage mitigation, drying and dehumidification, building stabilization, reconstruction services. All work is completed in accordance with federal, state and local regulations.

To learn more about Service Master GB, visit www.servicemastergb.com or call 203 386 1565. Service Master GB is headquartered in Stratford.

Spring 2010- E-Newsletter

Wed, 05 May 2010 12:02:25 -0400

of Greater Bridgeport

24/7 Commercial and Residential Disaster Restoration

(203)386-1565

Spring 2010

Vol 3, Issue 2

Industry INsights
a vendor-to-insurance industry newsletter

Dear Laura,

I was reading through the Winter Newsletter to gain perspective and came across my closing sentiment: "Here's to a productive first quarter". Well, in the time since our last e-blast the heavens opened up not one, not two, but THREE TIMES. Mother Nature stormed the gates of our usually mild and dreary March landscape leaving homeowners and businessowners dumbfounded. Where did this come from?

For the past year and a half, the ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport team has been beating the "preparedess drum". Our slogan? "Be prepared for disaster BEFORE it strikes." Needless to say, when disater did strike, we were ready. Ready for the 600 + calls. Ready for the long hours. Ready to help our community.

Thanks to all of you who referred our name with confidence. We made sure to respond to every call, even if we were not able to get there.

In current news, we're excited to welcome a new member to our wonderful team. Christie Alesevich came on board in late March as our Marketing Representative. She and I look forward to seeing you all as we visit your offices this spring. Read below for Christie's bio and...Our Second Quarter Lunch Contest!

Happy Spring!

Laura Voisine
Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

Win lunch for your office!

Last quarter Katie Bell of Rand Insurance won lunch for her entire office! She was definitely the favorite colleague that week.

Try your hand being the office hero by answering the questions below!

All correct entries submitted to my

e-mail (

lvoisine@servicemastergb.com)

by 5pm on May 14th will be eligible for the random drawing.

Definitions:

Define the following words using whatever means (dictionary, Google, your own words) and use each in a sentence. Be creative with these very un-creative words!

1. Stachybotrys

2. Protimeter

3. Xactimate

4. Continuity Planning

5. Search Engine Optimization

Welcome, Christie!

Christie Alesevich
Marketing Representative

calesevich@servicemastergb.com

Christie recently joined the marketing and sales team at ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport. Christie comes to ServiceMaster with her Bachelors Degree in English and Marketing from Central Connecticut State University and experience in PR and Events Marketing at the New Britain Museum of American Art. At CCSU, Christie put her marketing talents to use planning and executing alumni reunions, homecomings and graduation ceremonies. A native of Trumbull, Christie enjoys traveling, hiking and painting in her spare time.

On the Radio!

For 2010 we committed to a year long radio commercial campaign with WICC. Paul Plouffe, owner of ServiceMaster, is also scheduled for bi-monthly appearances on the Jim Buchanan show! We'll make sure that you know when the interviews will air.

In This Issue

"Win Lunch" Contest

New Marketing Rep!

Tune in to WICC!

Quick Links

Our Website

Need CE?

Call Laura Voisine @ 203/386-1565 to request addt'l registration forms and to sign up!

Join our Mailing List!

Laura Voisine

Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

110 Seymour Street

Stratford, CT 06615

203/386-1565

1-800-RESPOND (24/7)

servicemastergb.com

In the News- First the flooding, then mold adds insult to injury!

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:48:00 -0400

Service Master of Greater Bridgeport

News Release

For Immediate Release

For More Information: Martin Arnold, 203 452 7971, or Paul Plouffe, 203 386 1565

Homeowners and Business Owners Beware: Now Comes Double Jeopardy

First the flooding then mold adds insult to injury!

Stratford, Conn. March 29, 2010 --With tens of millions of dollars accruing in estimates for property losses after our recent weather catastrophe, business owners and homeowners in Fairfield County are beginning to get back to "normal." As the wind and rain began pounding the towns along our coastline March 13 calls began flooding local Service Master phones lines and rang without ceasing for 5 straight days. Within hours the remediation and clean up company had ramped up normal service procedures into hospital-type triage protocol to manage the incoming emergencies.

Most homeowners and business-interruption insurance policies do not cover ground water or flooding unless a special rider has been added. This is bad enough news to policy owners but add to this the burden of microbial growth, aka mold, and you have double jeopardy!

If you are one of the 29,000 area residents and business owners affected, here are a few tips from remediation expert Paul Plouffe, owner of Service Master of Greater Bridgeport, that will help deal with the challenges in restoring the home or work environment back to normal health.

� Choose Carefully. Whether choosing a contractor for tree removal, roof repair or cleaning up mold, take time to ask for their home improvement license number and copy of an insurance certificate. Legitimate contractors should have these documents readily available to assure you professional credentials and business acumen before starting the job.

� Check References. Ask for references before beginning. Although these are not fool proof they will provide opportunity to have a conversation with someone who has experienced the service being offered.

� Look for Credentials. All industries have national standardization boards with prominent credentialing that can be "Googled" for authenticity. For example, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration, IICRC, has an insignia called "Certified Firm" that can be found on contractor uniforms or vehicles.

� Seek Brand Recognition. Prominent brands provide a legal and ethical card to play in the event of dissatisfaction. All franchises pay a royalty fee to use the brand and are subject to the quality assurance audits governing the way services are delivered to the public.

� Check with a Lab. Use an independent laboratory to get a baseline on your microbial growth. This takes the cleaning piece out of the subjective realm and gives you scientific leverage with a non-biased baseline and passing report card for whomever you chose to do the clean up.

� Review Insurance Policies. Consult with your insurance agent to get advice and to check coverage. Some riders for sump pump failure are only about $40 more per year.

� Don't Procrastinate!! Food source+ time+ moisture+ temperature = microbial growth. Mold can contaminate not just food but just about anything from paper goods, books, boxes, leather shoes, wood and other cellulose containing materials.

Paul Plouffe is the owner of ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport. He has been providing disaster restoration services in Fairfield and New Haven counties for over 25 years. Plouffe is a Certified Indoor Air Quality Manager and is certified in Mold Remediation and Specialty Drying Systems.

Headquartered in Stratford, Service Master GB provides 24/7 commercial and residential emergency restoration services. Service Master GB is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor and is IICRC certified. Service Master is the oldest and largest disaster restoration franchise in the world. To learn more, visit www.servicemastergb.com or call 203 386 1565.

In the News- Welcome Christie!

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:43:31 -0400

CHRISTIE ALESEVICH

Marketing Representative

Christie recently joined the marketing and sales team at ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport. Christie comes to ServiceMaster with her Bachelors Degree in English and Marketing from Central Connecticut State University and experience in PR and Events Marketing at the New Britain Museum of American Art. At CCSU, Christie put her marketing talents to use planning and executing alumni reunions, homecomings and graduation ceremonies. A native of Trumbull, Christie enjoys traveling, hiking and painting in her spare time.

Winter 2010- E-Newsletter

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 09:40:13 -0400

of Greater Bridgeport

24/7 Commercial and Residential Disaster Restoration

(203)386-1565

Winter 2010

Vol 3, Issue 1

Industry INsights
a vendor-to-insurance industry newsletter

Dear Laura,

Happy 2010!
We hope that everyone is enjoying this cold, cold weather. We certainly are! This first e-newsletter of 2010 is meant to provide reprieve from this chilly weather. See below for our "WIN LUNCH FOR YOUR OFFICE" Contest (Our way to break things up a bit).

Also, our first CE date, 3/23, is fast approaching! Make sure to register as soon as possible to reserve your seat. Fortune favors the early bird!--My quote entirely.

All my best for a productive first quarter,

Laura Voisine
Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

Win lunch for your office!

Answer the following questions using information from our website and win lunch for you and your colleagues!

All correct entries submitted to my e-mail (lvoisine@servicemastergb.com)

by 5pm on February 19th will be eligible for the random drawing.

Here we go....

1. What is the 2nd of our four corporate principles?

2. Which members of our organization recently received certifications? (Hint: look for the link to "newsletters")

3. List three things you should do after a water damage occurs.

4. Which standards do we follow when remediating mold? (This is a tricky one...there's no such thing as a free lunch).

5. What is the name of our human resources manager?

The heat is on! Good luck!!

On the Radio!

In mid-December we kick off a sixth month radio commercial campaign with WICC. So keep an ear out for our voices on the airwaves! Thanks to our talented friends at Firelight Media for helping create our very first radio spots. Click here to listen to the spots on our website.

This is a new initiative for your commercial clients! Create a policyholder for life when you promote this free add-on service.

866 Recover is a disaster preparedness program that puts your client at the top of our service list in the case of an water, fire or mold damage--large or small. Our president, Paul Plouffe, will go out and visit your client free of charge to go over the specifics of the program. It does not cost anything unless there is an insurance claim!

Call us today at 203-386-1565 for more information about how you can help you clients be prepared--before it ever happens.

In This Issue

"Win Lunch" Contest

We're on the Radio!

866 Recover: Prepare your clients...

Quick Links

Our Website

Need CE?

Call Laura Voisine @ 203/386-1565 to request addt'l registration forms and to sign up!

Join our Mailing List!

Laura Voisine

Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

110 Seymour Street

Stratford, CT 06615

203/386-1565

1-800-RESPOND (24/7)

servicemastergb.com

In the News! Employee Certifications

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:25:39 -0500

Bridgeporter Earns Advanced Certification

Stratford, Conn. November 20, 2009 � Bridgeport resident Shawn Voisine, operations manager at Service Master of Greater Bridgeport, has earned professional certification in Applied Structural Drying from the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). ServiceMaster is a commercial and residential disaster restoration and heavy cleaning company with headquarters in Stratford.

Voisine attended a 3-day course of instruction and passed a comprehensive exam. The course covered the efficient drying of water-damaged structures and contents. Voisine explains that drying, if done correctly, is far less costly and time consuming than the alternative of tearing apart structures and taking water-bound materials to landfills. Voisine learned about instrumentation, extraction systems, drying equipment and chemistry applied in an actual flooded building situation.

He has been with ServiceMaster for three years. The company provides 24/7 commercial and residential emergency restoration services and heavy cleaning services. To learn more, visit www.servicemastergb.com or call 203 386 1565.

Stratford Resident Earns Professional Certification

Stratford, Conn. November 3, 2009- Stratford resident Fran Gray has received her certification from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) after attending a 3-day course and passing a comprehensive exam. Gray is the administration coordinator at ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport, a commercial and residential disaster restoration and heavy cleaning company headquartered in Stratford. She has been with the company for five years.

The course gives individuals in the restoration industry a better understanding of water damage, its effects, drying techniques and related mold issues. Gray will use the knowledge gained to coordinate cleanup work between insurance adjusters and service providers.

ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport provides 24/7 commercial and residential emergency restoration services and heavy cleaning services. To learn more, visit servicemastergb.com or call 203-286-1565.

Fall 2009

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 01:15:52 -0500

of Greater Bridgeport

Fall/Holiday 2009

Vol 2, Issue 4

Industry INsights
a vendor-to-insurance industry newsletter

Dear Laura,

It feels like just yesterday that the financial crisis was at its apex. We have since forged ahead through 2009 and are already looking to a better and brighter 2010. As we close this year, we feel that the Fairfield and New Haven County marketplaces are ready to get back in the game! Join us as we celebrate making it through this challenging year with our business colleagues, friends and families by our sides. Read below for one of our major highlights of the year (picture alert) and a look at some exciting things to come including our tentative CE schedule for 2010 (we need your feedback)!

Happy Holidays!

Laura Voisine
Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

CE 2010: We need your help!

We know that you love our classes and the convenient location in Shelton. What if we held one day of classes a bit north in Seymour? Our friends at Basement Systems would love to co-host with us and want you to see their cool space. Check our their website and look over the tentative CE schedule for 2010 below.

(Note: All classes to be held at the Greater Valley Chamber in Shelton except those on June 7th which will be held at Basement Systems).

March 22nd-
           Personal Lines (AM) 4PC
           ISO Homeowners (PM) 4PC
May 11th-
           Excess and Umbrella (AM) 4PC
           E & O Prevention (PM) 4 LRE
June 7th- @ Basement Systems...maybe.
          Professionalism and Ethics (AM)3PC
          Life and Heath (PM)
September 14th-
          Risk Management (AM) 4PC
          Law and Ethics (PM) 4LRE
November 9th-
          Commercial Lines (AM) 4PC
          Understanding claims
          Made and Occurrence Forms- (PM) 4 PC

On the Radio!

In mid-December we kick off a sixth month radio commercial campaign with WICC. So keep an ear our for out voices on the airwaves! Thanks to our talented friends at Firelight Media for helping create our very first radio spots.

1st Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive!

Back in August, I sent an inquiry out to all of you asking if your agency would participate in a cooperative effort to help the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. I estimated that 5 people would respond (out of 500)...and I was right! :)

For the month of October, five local insurance agencies (The Russell Agency, Southport; DiMatteo Insurance, Shelton; Greenwood Insurance, Bridgeport; Bearingstar, Fairfield; Scala, Clark and Minogue, Bridgeport) partnered with us to gather food items for the Bridgeport Rescue Mission. Given the economy, the need for food around the holidays is especially high. We more than helped meet the need! Here are the highlights:

- We compiled about 140 "Turkey Dinner Kits", which included stuffing, gravy mix, canned veggies, cranberry sauce and boxed potatoes.

- We raised over $600 dollars in donations for turkeys, hams and pies!

- Several of us went "on-site" to hand out food to people in need. I can tell you that I was blessed to share conversation with many people standing in line. It helped me to realize how essential it is for me to share with others, not just materially, but to give of my time and attention...to invest with my life.

Here are some pictures of us handing out food. A special thanks to Rob Lesko (DiMatteo Insurance) and Nikki (Greenwood Insurance) for coming out and giving of their time.

Consider joining us next year!

This is a new initiative for your commercial clients! Create a policyholder for life when you promote this free add-on service.

Call us today at 203-386-1565 for more information about how you can help you clients be prepared--before it ever happens.

In This Issue

CE 2010

We're on the Radio!

Thanksgiving Food Drive

866 Recover: Prepare your clients...

Quick Links

Our Website

Our Emergency #'s

203/386-1565

1-800-RESPOND (24/7) or outside of Fairfield or New Haven Counties

Join our Mailing List!

Laura Voisine

Marketing Director
ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport

110 Seymour Street

Stratford, CT 06615

203/386-1565

1-800-RESPOND (24/7)

servicemastergb.com

In the News! October Food Drive

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:25:00 -0400

Area Insurance Agents to Ensure Thanksgiving Dinner for Those in Need

Stratford, Conn. September 25, 2009-- Five Fairfield County insurance agencies are banding together with the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport to ensure that families in need will have a special Thanksgiving dinner this year.

The agencies will assemble Thanksgiving pantry boxes filled with canned goods, rolls, coffee, stuffing and other items necessary for a Thanksgiving dinner and will deliver them to the Rescue Mission. Cash donations from the agencies and their clients will go towards frozen turkeys and pies that the Rescue Mission will place in the boxes just before they are distributed to those in need.

The participating agencies include Bearingstar of Fairfield, DiMatteo Insurance of Shelton, Greenwood Insurance of Bridgeport, The Russell Agency of Southport and Scala, Clark and Minogue of Bridgeport. They were recruited by ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport which is in the business of water, fire and mold damage restoration. ServiceMaster supports the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and both organizations share the common goal of "restoration". ServiceMaster restores homes and businesses after a disaster and the Rescue Mission restores hope and dignity to the hungry, homeless and addicted throughout Fairfield County.

The boxes will be filled during the month of October and will be delivered to the Rescue Mission in time for Thanksgiving. Those interested in helping or making a donation should contact the Rescue Mission at 203.333.4087 or bridgeportrescuemission.org.

ServiceMaster of Greater Bridgeport provides 24/7 commercial and residential emergency restoration services and heavy cleaning services. To learn more, visit servicemastergb.com or call 203.386.1565.

ServiceMaster and The Bridgeport Rescue Mission Work Together

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:58:01 -0400

ServiceMaster and The Bridgeport Rescue Mission - Restoring homes�restoring lives
Thursday, September 17, 2009

Paul and Laura were invited by the Bridgeport Rescue Mission to represent ServiceMaster during a live broadcast of WICC on Thursday, September 17th. The broadcast took place at the Mission and the purpose was to promote awareness of what the Mission does for the hungry, homeless and addicted in Fairfield County. ServiceMaster is supporting the Mission this holiday by organizing a food drive in partnership with several local insurance agencies. Here are some pictures of the WICC broadcast. More information to come on our food drive in later posts!