When an emergency hits, getting back in business is not as easy as calling 911. Perhaps a pipe burst in the middle of the night, a train track shut down in a remote area, or a natural disaster has hit – creating uncertainty for what lies ahead.
For decades, PCL Construction has put preparedness, safety and responsiveness at the forefront of our work to ensure clients can count on PCL teams across North America in an emergency repair situation.
With our extensive experience in emergency response capabilities, PCL can help you preserve your asset and restore functionality, allowing you to return to full operation quickly, safely and with confidence in the restoration.
We start by assessing the immediate impact of the disaster or emergency event and ensure the safety of all involved. We also communicate with the client and the relevant authorities to coordinate the emergency response and recovery plan.
Our team will identify the source of the issue, for example, unexpected flooding, or scope of damage in the case of a natural disaster, and quickly act to make repairs and prevent further damage. We’ll then prioritize restoring critical utilities such as electricity and water to the building.
We start rebuilding on an accelerated timeline, with a focus on incorporating design and construction best practices so that the restored facility or infrastructure can withstand disasters in the future.
It was 3:00 p.m. and one of PCL’s entertainment clients was looking forward to a friends and family preview of their newest attraction the next day. That is until a major plumbing issue was discovered, putting the event at risk for cancellation.
Within just an hour of receiving the call from the client, a PCL crew was onsite diagnosing the problem and creating a plan of action. It was no easy solution – the team had to cut through concrete and dig down to the clogged pipe creating the issue. Yet everything was reassembled and ready for guest arrival by 8:00 am the next day.
With the ability to mobilize crews across North America at a moment’s notice, PCL specializes in addressing emergency repairs in remote areas. If a natural disaster such as a hurricane is predicted, we’ll send our specialized and technically skilled teams in advance so they can be ready to respond when needed.
In the aftermath of an emergency, construction crews may be spread thin. Our key relationships in the community help ensure your project is prioritized. Additionally, our ability to self-perform many aspects of the project is another strength, helping to streamline the timeline and ensure quality.
Emergency repairs, by nature, always seem to occur at an inconvenient time. But even when calls come in when the office is closed for a holiday break, PCL is ready to immediately take action and deploy a team. This was the case in 2023 when a bridge in a remote area in Alabama experienced a structural failure, impacting freight traffic on a joint line utilized by two PCL clients.
Despite the issue occurring over a holiday weekend, the first PCL employees were onsite and assessing the situation within just a few hours of receiving the call. The next morning, PCL forces began working around the clock until the bridge was returned to full operation less than 120 hours later.
For assistance with an emergency at your commercial building or property, reach out to your local PCL Construction regional office for assistance.