Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/75471
AGGBEAT TO GO To get daily news updates from AggBeat Online, scan this tag with your smart phone. Aggregate Industries US (AIUS) and the Massachusetts Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team (MA-TF 1 US&R) hosted Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Canine Certification at the Aggregate Industries K-9 Testing Facility in Littleton, Mass., during which rescue dogs and their handlers un- derwent rigorous testing, including a search for volunteer human "survivors" under piles of rubble. AGGREGATE INDUSTRIES hosts rescue dog certification AIUS employees helped to construct the two initial rubble piles used in the certification. This year, AIUS employees also modified and built up the piles, says Robin DeCarlo, a spokeswoman for AIUS. The materials used in the rubble piles are mostly donated con- crete, steel, and pallets. The piles are constructed in such a way that "victims" are placed within them. In addition to the "victims," the organizers place other items to distract the dogs, such as food and clothes. MA-TF 1, one of 28 Federal Emergency Management Agency Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces throughout the country, initially approached AIUS, a member of the Holcim Group, because of the aggregate company's large quarry facilities in Massachusetts. The rescue task force felt that AIUS might be better positioned than other private facilities in the area to construct and maintain the rubble piles that are needed in order for the search dog teams to regularly train and test, DeCarlo says. The piece of property used in the certification has now been dedicated as a training site, with trainers always onsite. The highly realistic course is crucial to pre- pare the teams for emergencies where recovery is often a matter of life and death. "AIUS cares about the communities in which we operate and is proud to support this activity," DeCarlo tells Aggregates Manager. "What takes place at the Littleton Quarry has an impact not only lo- cally, but nationally and worldwide in times of disaster." GRANITEROCK PRESIDENT/CEOdies in apparent boat accident Bruce Woolpert Graniterock President, CEO, and Chairman Bruce Woolpert was known in the aggregate in- dustry for his enthusiasm for education, his inno- vative ideas, his focus on quality people and prod- ucts, and his commitment to customer service. On June 24, 2012, Woolpert died in an apparent boating accident. Woolpert is survived by his wife Rose Ann, his children, Marianne and Arthur, and his brother, Steve. Mark Kaminski, a long-time member of Graniterock's Board of Directors, is now chairman of the board and acting CEO, which is in accordance with the succession plan developed by the company. In a corporate statement, the company notes: "The Woolpert family has complete confidence in the current management team and Graniterock team members and plans to continue operating the company for another 112 successful years." Therese Dunphy, editor-in-chief of Aggregates Manager, had the opportunity to interview Woolpert several times. She says he brought "innovative ideas to the aggregate industry, and Graniterock thrived as a result. His focus on quality products and people helped differentiate the 6 AGGREGATES MANAGER August 2012 company and transformed it into one of Fortune magazine's best companies to work for." Dunphy recalls her last interview with Woolpert, which she says centered on customer service. During that interview he shared his company's simple philosophy: Yes, we will, as its response to serving its customers. "It was this type of innovation that led Graniterock, under Bruce's leadership, to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Dunphy says. "Bruce [Woolpert] had a knack for bringing out the best in his company, his industry, and his commu- nity. Will we miss his passion for improving each? Yes, we will." Services were held for Woolpert on June 30 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Saratoga, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions to the Woolpert Family Foundation, to continue Woolpert's legacy in educational pro- grams. Contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 50001, c/o Janice Shaffer, Watsonville, CA 95077. To view Graniterock's "Memories of Bruce" page, or to give a memory, go to www.graniterock.com/blogs/rock/2012/06/ memories-of-bruce/.