Oil giant BP has donated $8 million for relief efforts following Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, while fuel-dispenser innovator Dresser Wayne has dispatched a special team to the hurricane-ravaged area to help repair fuel-dispensing equipment and retail technologies.
Additionally, fleet-card specialist U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Systems has donated $5,000 to the relief effort.
Dresser Wayne said it’s helping fuel retailers meet the critical demand for fuel as affected communities press forward with recovery efforts. The company has deployed a special unit of service technicians and truckloads of replacement parts to repair damaged fuel dispensers and retail systems as quickly as possible.
“Left with extensive damage and widespread power outages in the storm’s wake, this highly populated region’s need for fuel is vital,” said Carlos Martinez, director of Field Technical Services. “People need more than fuel for their vehicles right now. They need gasoline to power generators just to satisfy basic necessities as they wait for power restoration, which could take weeks in certain areas.”
With fuel retailers working to help their customers in the midst of difficult circumstances, Dresser Wayne has been proactively supporting them.
“Technicians throughout our service provider network and from our Help Desk organization are rallying together to get fuel dispensers back on-line,” said Evan Duval, director of Service Operations. “Even before the storm, our sales teams were reaching out to customers to begin organizing assistance.”
In addition to assessing the damage by using traditional methods and the latest remote diagnostic technology, however, Dresser Wayne has been locating and dispatching the right equipment, parts and expertise to meet essential needs immediately. The company has designated a project manager, Jessica Gonzalez, to handle the complex logistics involved in responding to a disaster of this magnitude.
“The damage is staggering,” Martinez said. “As we conduct assessments, we are uncovering the full scope of issues that need our attention, and we are committed to seeing our customers through this.”
Duval added: “Everyone here fully recognizes the importance of this undertaking. They have left the comfort of their homes in unaffected areas and made it a personal mission to help the area recover swiftly.”
Meanwhile, the BP Foundation—in response to the devastating effects of Hurricanes Ike and Gustav—has donated $8 million to community organizations. It is also matching the contributions of BP employees to the disaster relief effort.
"BP shares the nation’s concern for those hit so hard by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav," said Bob Malone, chairman and president of BP America. "As we work to return our offshore oilfields and Texas City refinery to full operation, we are also working to help communities and organizations like the American Red Cross provide assistance to the people who need it most. We hope that our contribution — along with those of millions of Americans — will help sustain a disaster response sure to last many months."
The BP Foundation donation will go to relief organizations such as the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the United Way serving residents in Galveston County, Louisiana parishes and the city of Houston.
A portion of the donations will also target relief centers, schools and volunteer fire departments in communities where BP employees live and work
U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Systems Inc., of Houston, has also pledged $5,000 to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund. The money will go to the nonprofit Greater Houston Community Foundation to support relief efforts in Houston and surrounding communities affected by Hurricane Ike.
"In keeping with the spirit of helping our neighbors in Texas rebuild their lives during this time of natural disaster, Voyager is happy to donate the money to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund,” said U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Systems Senior Vice President Michael Oleniczak. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the victims of Hurricane Ike.”
U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Systems Inc. is a provider of the universal fleet-fueling and maintenance card for more than 1.5 million vehicles.