Local HBA Helps Members and Community Weather the Storm

Home builders associations across the Federation continuously seek out new initiatives to support their members and communities. As a part of the Gold Coast Builders Association (GCBA) culture of membership, the association came up with a new approach to the ongoing challenge of preparing for hurricane season. On May 12, the HBA hosted the region's first small business Residential Construction Hurricane Preparedness Seminar in West Palm Beach, Fla.

Frank R. Coppola, III, owner of Coppola Brothers LLC and GCBA 2nd Vice President, enlisted the support of NAHB Disaster Relief Specialist Jonathan Falk, and GCBA members passionate about storm preparation and came up with the concept for the preparedness seminar and public service event. The proposed event was in response to the influx of new residential construction industry professionals and community residents in the region ahead of what is forecasted to be an active hurricane season.

“It has been several years since the Gold Coast of Florida has been threatened by a tropical storm or hurricane," said Coppola. "For our Gold Coast Builders Association members and other construction and remodeling professionals presenting the first small business preparedness seminar for the residential construction professional provided the skills needed to prepare for, survive and recover should a tropical system impact our area.”

The day-long seminar was well-attended by GCBA members and local elected officials. Falk guided participants on how to draft an emergency business plan, also known as a continuity of operations (COOP). The plan can help assess probable hazards to businesses and identify what measures might be needed to mitigate risks for hurricane season. The guidance is available to all NAHB members on nahb.org.

Following the robust training session, participants and sponsors assembled 250 “Buckets of Help” for five area non-profit organizations. K.T. Catlin, executive officer, GCBA said the buckets were filled with preparedness items like waterproof document holders, flash drives and other items donated by member businesses. “These items will help those in need to be better prepared for the worse Mother Nature will send our way.”