Tenaris Responds to the Unexpected Calgary Flood Crisis
08/08/2013 - Flooding and heavy rain displaced thousands of people from their homes and caused devastation in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in early July. Tenaris offered a corporate contribution to the Red Cross cleanup efforts in the community, as well as specific financial assistance to displaced employees in need and company support for any employee who wanted to develop an initiative to help others in need
Flooding and heavy rain displaced thousands of people from their homes and caused devastation in the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in early July. The two major rivers in Calgary, the Bow and the Elbow, which flow west to south and north to south respectively, caused the flooding of many of the areas due to a massive downpour in the region. Many in the community were left without power and shelter. Roadways and bridges were closed, small communities were devastated and many areas, including the city’s downtown core, were evacuated. The cleanup efforts citywide could take up to 10 years.
Volunteer efforts led by Calgary-based Tenaris employees from both the mill and office locations included fundraising, bake sales, food drives and neighborhood cleanups. Taking employee initiatives as a lead, Nicolas Bullrich, Canadian commercial director, worked with the senior management team to develop an opportunity, which allows employees, anytime in the next three months, to volunteer up to one day in support of the Alberta flood relief while on company time.
Additionally, with the support of the Guillermo Moreno, Canadian managing director, Tenaris offered a corporate contribution to the Red Cross cleanup efforts in the community, as well as specific financial assistance to displaced employees in need and company support for any employee who wanted to develop an initiative to help others in need. “There is much work still to be done in many areas of Alberta and we know our employees want to help and many have been doing so,” Moreno said.
The Canadian managing director summed up the positive aspect that was generated from such a terrible disaster. “The past weeks have shown me a side of Calgary that is courageous and caring, strong and generous,” said Moreno, who noted all the employee-driven initiatives. “It makes me proud to be a part of this community.”
