ARLINGTON, Va. — Even before Hurricane Sandy hit New York and New Jersey this fall, a plan was in place to help contractors and their employees. Thanks to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Disaster Relief Committee, members in the area were sent email notices prior to the storm urging them to contact ACCA in a time of need.

Following the storm, Disaster Relief Committee manager Rosemary Graeme immediately contacted ACCA members and discovered dozens of contractors and employees were missing automobiles, and in one case, a home.

Acting quickly, Steve Lauten, Disaster Relief Committee chairman, Total Air & Heat, Plano, Texas, called an emergency meeting. At the consent of the committee, Paul Stalknecht, ACCA president, was authorized to provide assistance.