Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85685
reporter | by EW Staff Equipment-centric disaster relief T ad Agoglia and his crew arrived to what was left of Haiti within a week after the 2010 earthquake. As the team used their Cat exca- vator and Peterbilt dump truck to clear the rubble for a medical clinic, he was struck by the vast need surrounding him. "In that moment I began to realize no one orga- nization can fix everything," Agoglia says "but it's extremely important we all make a contribution." Three years earlier, after a tornado tore through Greensburg, Kansas, Agoglia began what would become First Response Team. He used heavy equipment from his own for-profit business to help Greensburg residents and business owners in ways other organizations could not. "I saw a need for heavy lift- ing," Agoglia says. "I wanted to take what I had and see if I could assist." In 2009, about 18 storms after the Agoglia's first call to help, First Response Team officially became a not-for-profit, re- sponding to disaster sites within hours after the storm. Compa- nies like Cat, Stihl, Peterbilt and more began donating critical equipment to Agoglia's efforts. Agoglia spent the majority of his 20s building his former company, but he wasn't quite satisfied until he began his disaster relief. "This is part of being human," Agoglia says, "to help when people are in need." The First Response Team has grown to seven people. Agoglia said he is in the process of adding local equipment owners and truck drivers from his hometown to the team. For more information, go to firstresponseteam.org. – Amanda Bayhi Agoglia (center) and his crew, Andy Nissley, left, and Tim Wolkowicz, right. Kick the tires at ProPickup Truck Expo he ProPickup Truck Expo, a new automotive aftermarket tradeshow showcasing full-size pick- ups and accessories, will be part of Intersection 2012 at the Dallas Convention Center in Dallas, Texas, August 23-25. T The expo, presented by ProPickup magazine, will include educational seminars, product demonstrations, displays of new products, pickup ride-and-drive pro- grams and customized work pickups. It is a trade-only show focusing on full-size pickups as well as related accessories and services. GMC Truck and Ram Trucks, among other manufacturers, have signed up for booths to exhibit their full-size pickup parts, accessories and services. For more information, visit propickupexpo.com or intersection2012.com. (ProPickup comes to Equipment World subscribers every other month. To view past issues go to propickupmag.com.) EquipmentWorld.com | July 2012 11 Photography by Larry Lefever, art direction by Jeremy Hess