NADA Foundation Mobilizes Emergency Relief to Help Victims of Oklahoma Tornado
The National Automobile Dealers Charitable Foundation moved quickly May 21 to inform dealership employees affected by the Oklahoma tornado that financial assistance is available through its Emergency Relief Fund. “We already know of nearly 60 dealership employees who have suffered either total loss of their homes or significant damage,” said David Hyatt, NADA vice president of public affairs. The greatest destruction occurred in Moore, OK, a suburb of 55,000 south of Oklahoma City. The massive tornado killed at least 24 people, including nine children, and injured more than 230. The National Weather
Service described it as an F5 twister that stayed on the ground for 40 minutes, with winds of at least 200 mph, the first EF5 tornado this year. It left an area of about four square miles devastated, with entire blocks of houses flattened, widespread power outages, lack of water and phone service. Peter Hodges, president of the Metro Auto Dealers Association of Oklahoma City, said its charitable foundation began distributing checks to some of the dealership employees hardest hit by the tornado. “But we will soon run out of money,” he said. “I have also distributed information to let the employees know how to
apply for financial assistance from the NADA Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund,” he added. NADA will continue to work with the state and metro dealer associations to notify dealers and their employees that financial assistance from the NADA Foundation’s Emergency Relief Fund is available. Employees can apply directly to NADA for emergency assistance or dealers can apply on behalf of their affected employees. The Emergency Relief Fund is also providing financial assistance to dealership employees affected by the recent explosion at a Texas fertilizer plant. Last year, after Hurricane Sandy
I-CAR Makes Changes and Updates to Steel Sectioning Qualification Test
I-CAR® has introduced several enhancements to its Steel Sectioning Qualification Test (SPS05). Enhancements include updated rail design, material thickness, and welds. I-CAR Technical Director, Jason Bartanen stated, “A technician’s ability to properly perform sectioning procedures extends well beyond the shop floor. Improper repairs can impact the structural integrity of the ve-
hicle, passenger safety, and airbag performance. The Steel Sectioning Qualification Test is an excellent way to help verify that technicians are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their in-shop performance and to reinforce the importance of following proper repair procedures.” A unique benefit to this training experience is that the training and test-
ing take place in-shop, allowing students to use the tools and equipment that they work with regularly. During the course, technicians will be able to demonstrate their measuring, cutting, and GMA (MIG) welding skills while sectioning steel structural parts. Each student will completely section a rail made from thin and thick steels and perform welding joints as he/she would on the repair
hit the Northeast, more than $500,000 was distributed to 700 dealership employees. Since the fund was established in 1992, more than $5.4 million has been provided to nearly 8,500 dealership employees in need. The NADA Foundation, established in 1975, is the philanthropic arm of the National Automobile Dealers Association. Funds contributed by new car and truck dealers and friends of the industry provide financial support to schools, private colleges and universities, emergency disaster relief and other community service programs. For more information, visit: www.nada.org/charitablefoundation.
floor. Throughout the course, the student uses a true-to-life body repair manual as a guide to meeting repair specifications. To learn more about the Steel Sectioning Qualification Test (SPS05), or to request a welding event at your shop, visit the course catalog under the “Training” tab at www.i-car.com or call I-CAR Customer Care at 800-4227872.
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