CASE Construction Equipment commenced a pilot program earlier this year to support a new initiative with humanitarian organization Team Rubicon to train more volunteers to operate heavy equipment in response to disasters and crises.

The program, which was first announced last fall, commenced with two CASE dealers: RPM Machinery of Franklin, IN, and Lawrence Equipment, in Roanoke, VA. On a monthly basis, these dealers provide machines for Team Rubicon volunteers to train on, an indoor classroom and outdoor operating space.

“As soon as we heard about the need to help train more heavy equipment operators, we raised our hand,” Dustin Cole, executive vice president of Lawrence Equipment, said. “We’re very active in our local communities and want to ensure Virginia is prepared if disaster strikes, as well as help train volunteers to deploy wherever they are needed throughout the U.S. and Canada.”

CASE and its parent company’s foundation, CNH Industrial Foundation, have been long-time supporters of Team Rubicon. CASE deploys machinery through its dealer network to disaster response and community service projects across North America, while the foundation has supported efforts with monetary support.

“The work that Team Rubicon does aligns with the company’s sustainability goals and the CNH Industrial Foundation’s priorities,” Michelle Javaherian, community impact manager for CNH Industrial, said. “We’ve made many donations over the years. Last year, the CNH Industrial Foundation gave $600,000 to support Team Rubicon’s Ready Reserve Fund and heavy equipment operator training in the U.S. and Canada.”

Team Rubicon’s volunteers, which go by “Greyshirts,” register for the monthly training from CASE’s dealers and learn how to operate compact track loaders and excavators.

“One of the most critical tasks after disasters strike is getting much-needed resources to that area. Our Greyshirts, including sawyers and heavy equipment operators, help clear trees and debris from roads, allowing first responders and survivors to regain access to the community,” William Porter, director of operations support at Team Rubicon, said.

As an example, mere hours after Hurricane Ian hit Florida in 2022, Team Rubicon — with the help of heavy equipment — conducted 37 route clearance events, removing about 660 dump trucks’ worth of debris and a total of 131 obstructions.

“Having more trained heavy equipment operators increases the capacity of Team Rubicon to provide this essential assistance for communities, allowing survivors to move toward the path to recovery,” Porter said.

“One of RPM’s core values is doing the right thing. Supporting Team Rubicon by preparing their Greyshirts to safely and effectively operate machinery is the right thing to do,” Fred Rohlman, president at RPM Machinery, said. “We signed up right away when CASE shared this opportunity.”

Greyshirts must undergo a background check and complete a brief online Team Rubicon training course. If within 450 miles of a participating CASE dealer location, they receive a notice through the Team Rubicon newsletter and social media channels encouraging their participation in heavy equipment training.

“CASE’s purpose is to build communities and — when disaster strikes — rebuild them,” Rebecca Bortner, marketing director at CASE Construction Equipment, said. “Our dealers help amplify that purpose every day by wholeheartedly participating in opportunities like this, as well as supporting their local communities through myriad ways, including educating the next generation of tradespeople and raising funds for charities.”

The training has been put to use by Team Rubicon in all phases of the disaster cycle across the U.S., including in wildfire mitigation, hurricane response and long-term storm recovery.

CASE and Team Rubicon plan to expand the number of dealers participating in the heavy equipment operator training program in 2024.