Richfield helps USAR’s trench training

When the Region 5 Urban Search and Rescue Strike Team (USAR) needed a location to practice trench rescues, it knew just where to turn – Local 18’s Richfield Training facility.

Shortly after a trench fatality in Hudson, the USAR team, representing 13 northern Ohio counties, came to Richfield for practice and technical advice. Run as an actual drill, the USAR members learned how to handle this kind of dramatic situation using a team approach.

The Richfield staff has been providing this kind of public service to a variety of organizations since the 1990s.

 

Floodwall Mural Features Labor, Local 18

After three devastating floods in 1884, 1913 and 1937, the Army Corps of Engineers built a floodwall to protect Portsmouth, Ohio.

In 1993 it was decided to use the floodwall to create an outdoor art gallery depicting two centuries of Portsmouth's growth, and recently space was made available on the wall to depict the important role labor played in the city's growth.

Artist Robert Dafford who did the original murals was hired to create the mural that portrays the Building and Construction Trades unions, featuring Local 18 and its logo, including the October, 1939 charter date.

Labor's 4½ foot panel section of the mural is most visible from the road, and is the largest set of murals to date.

 

Apprentices make Heritage Garden even greener

About a decade ago, the idea for creating a garden at the Ohio governor's residence was conceived as a way to showcase Ohio's natural history and environment to the thousands of yearly visitors.

Since it became reality in 2001, the Heritage Garden has become "home" to plants representing the five different physiographic regions of the state.

In its ongoing efforts to enhance the garden, and be truly "green," not just in the color of the plants, representatives of the garden contacted Local 18 for assistance. And once again, Local 18 provided it.

Under the direction of Training Coordinator Mike Cooper, apprentices showed up to move dirt and installed two cistern tanks to hold rain water to irrigate the garden, helping to make the Heritage Garden greener than ever.

 

Apprentices 'dig' these fields

.and youngsters across the state are, because Local 18's Training and Apprenticeship program went to bat for them creating athletic fields where none existed before.

Eighteen baseball and all-purpose fields in Harrison, Perry, Muskingum, Pickaway and Richland counties have become reality thanks to the efforts of these union volunteers who moved almost 135,000 cubic yards of dirt, leveled, graded and installed drainage pipe and catch basins for these new athletic facilities.

In some cases roadways and parking lots were built, trees and existing fences removed.

In addition to the many baseball diamonds, a football field was created in Muskingum County and an all-purpose field was excavated for track, football and the band (the largest project) in Richland County for Lexington High School.

 

We enjoy helpin' people

Habitat for Humanity was created to help low-income people own affordable, livable housing. One way to achieve that is through volunteerism.

Local 18 "digs" that program, and members have been voluntarily been digging foundations and basements, grading yards and putting in driveways for hundreds of Habitat for Humanity homes across the state. Our members even tear down some of the older homes to make room for the new.

Journeypersons and apprentices alike volunteer their time to turn the concept of a new home into a reality.

For its efforts, Local 18 has received a certificate of appreciation from Habitat. But to the members, it is the appreciation of the new homeowners that is the real recognition. The result is the satisfaction of people helping people, union or non-union.

 

Helping another organization train and gain

For years, Local 18 has prided itself on its training program-"Together We Train, Together We Gain."

That training, at four strategically located training centers, can be done indoors at these facilities. And that gave the Richfield Fire Department its own opportunity to train and gain, at Local 18's Richfield training site.

Late in the 2008 summer, members of the fire department used the facility to conduct extrication training.

As Fire Chief Stopak wrote, "The opportunity to use such a large indoor facility to practice vehicle extrication was very beneficial. Saturday's training allowed our newest department members the opportunity to practice rescue techniques and strategies that will better prepare them for actual vehicle extrication and patient rescue.

"We are very fortunate to have your fine organization and staff as part of the Richfield community."

 

Exceptional People

"Exceptional people providing exceptional care," is the motto of the 250-bed Twin City Hospital in Dennison. It could just as easily apply to Local 18 apprentices and contractors who provided "first aid" when the hospital needed it.

When Local 18 learned the hospital was facing some contractual difficulties during its 25-bed expansion, it was able to provide CPR (caring positive reaction). And provided it at no charge.

Signatory contractors, including Stanley Miller, Mid-Ohio Contracting, Beaver Excavating and H.M. Miller, provided equipment for the apprentices, and even a couple of Local 18 retirees showed up to help during the three-week project.

To show its appreciation, the hospital provided free flu shots for the elderly/retired Local 18 members in the hospital's area in portions of Tuscarawas, Harrison and Carroll counties.

To further show its appreciation, the hospital paid tribute to Local 18's generosity by installing several commemorative plaques.
 
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On the road with the Ohio Highway Guy

The Ohio Highway Guy (David Finley) has been crisscrossing Ohio promoting the construction profession on behalf of Local 18, the Laborers apprentice program and the Ohio Contractors Association since 2007.

Traveling in a Construction Career Mobile which features a conference room setting, big screen TV, brochure library and information about organized labor's role in construction in the state, the Ohio Highway Guy has visited 300 schools and made presentations to almost 15,000 students and guidance counselors.

During his visits, he provides a thorough explanation of apprentice programs as well as imparting an appreciation for the role of construction in our everyday lives.

Demand for the program is so high, it is necessary to book the Ohio Highway Guy four-five months in advance.