Company-specific training programs help to strengthen the industry as a whole. As PuroClean CEO Lauren Reid explained to Claims Christina Bramlet, his company's latest step in educating a new wave of restoration professionals involves a rigorous course offering (approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)) and a new Applied Structural Drying (ASD) hands-on demonstration facility. Reid talks about some of the features of the facility and how it is conducive to learning.

Tell us more about the motivation behind the facility and training program.

The substantial time and capital investment associated with not only PuroClean Academy but especially the new ASD facility speaks to our desire to help solidify best practices and standardize training and operations. We believe that our IICRC-approved course offerings and the hands-on training afforded by the ASD facility and the other features of the Academy will equip restoration professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle both small- and large-scale disaster recovery situations.

Our newest ASD facility is one of only a few of its kind in the world. The Academy is designed to assist industry professionals in developing core competencies in water damage restoration, fire and smoke restoration, odor control, carpet cleaning, and color repair. All of our facilities, but especially the ASD house will also be utilized for the research and development of new equipment, processes, and procedures in disaster restoration.

What do visitors see when they arrive?

The Property Restoration Training Center includes a flood house, a smoke and soot simulator, and a contents cleaning room designed for PuroClean's integrated contents management system. We have essentially constructed a one-bedroom home inside of a commercial building. The ASD facility was built from the ground up; it is not a modular home set on a foundation. It was imperative that the home be fully functional and also be built to hurricane standards—we are in Florida—so that visitors could touch and feel the entire property restoration process. Within the controlled environment of the Flood House, participants gain knowledge about how to apply IIRC-approved guidelines to structural drying, and in other parts of our Academy they will learn how to deal with the remediation of smoke and soot damage. They can use the equipment and follow the process from beginning to end.

This setup also means that technicians and other professionals are able to better understand the construction of a common dwelling—for instance, observing several types of subfloorings and floor coverings and the way a basement may be built. They can also familiarize themselves with building styles, mechanisms, and processes to handle various exposures. We have installed remote monitors inside of walls and under floors that allow us to track the drying progress online from any computer. We can demonstrate how appliances, counters, and cabinets should be dried and cleaned following exposure. The contents cleaning room allows us to demonstrate the proper way to clean and restore furniture and other contents that have been exposed to water and to smoke/soot.

The variety of materials in the "home" is intended to help our technicians and franchisees experience real-world application so that they obtain the best knowledge available in order to best serve their clients in the future.

Can you tell us more about PuroClean Academy?

Industry professionals—including claims adjusters, insurance agents, and technicians—can take courses in property damage restoration. We offer classes in business and financial management, sales, and marketing. Attendees can gain and maintain certifications and continuing education (CE) credits. As previously mentioned, the courses and instruction are IIRC-approved. Our new franchisees can also take a 40-hour class on water damage and ASD, including fire damage.

Are there tangible benefits to claims adjusters in particular?

The training provided by the Academy can help adjusters better evaluate losses accurately while developing an enhanced understanding of the proper restoration procedures. Adjusters who visit our high-tech training facility will see how PuroClean approaches losses. Featuring an interactive SmartBoard, the classroom is built with students in mind.

How can adjusters get involved?

The first property restoration training class in the new Academy took place in mid-January. We typically run about eight 3-week classes each year for new owners and plan to offer a variety of learning opportunities as we move forward. Our school and courses are open to adjusters and other insurance industry-professionals. We hope that many of them will take advantage of this chance to expand their skills.

Special Reports /

Speaking Of Property Damage Restoration With Lauren Reid, CEO of PuroClean

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