Across The Street, Across The Country

It has been a record summer – from coast-to-coast – for wild fires. 

But especially for those living in Western Canada. 

Evacuations. Damage. Destruction. And, in many case, homes lost. 

We hear from a new homeowner from West Kelowna whose house was spared. But the memories of evacuating – and waiting – will stay with him. 

Mike Howes and his crew at DKI Sparklean are a good 14 hours drive from Yellowknife, where that city continues to deal with threatening wildfires. 

But he’s ready to make the trip from Edmonton to help with that NWT city’s looming major restoration – and experience has taught him what to expect when that time comes. 

Music for this episode is Small Town, Big Dreams by Close Kicks and Ghost Stories by Looking for Heather

Stephanie Beattie of The Center for Disaster Recovery delivers training that’s directed to the root of what DKI does - empathizing with its clients, while restoring their lives following a property disaster. 

We sit in on her classroom at DKI-Disaster RX in Kingston, where she taught her students a better appreciation – and understanding - of equality, diversity, sensitivity and inclusion. And how to put it into practise for their customers.

We speak to some of Stephanie’s students, as well the people who recruited the award-winning trainer for this special day of instruction: Rex Alarcon, owner of DKI-Disaster RX and his VP of Business Operations, Jeremy Abellera. 

Theme music for this episode is Coming Up and You Made it Home by Close Kicks. 

Shaun Delorey and Josh Defoa, with DKI Canada , thought they’d have a breather, following a harrowing week in Montreal, assisting DKI-Refexio with a surge in claims as that city dealt with major flooding. 

But once back at their respective homes in Southern Ontario, both barely had time to remove their boots, before another emergency call came. This time, Shaun and Josh grabbed their gear and rushed to Nova Scotia, as DKI - Proper Care was facing a record number of claims, with three months worth of rain falling in two days. 

In this special bonus episode, Shaun makes time for us, again – along with Josh Defoa  to describe the magnitude of Atlantic Canada’s second large-scale natural disaster in as many years.  And how DKI is up to the challenge of bringing these Nova Scotia families home. 

Mena Pereira and Mario Caetano, along with their children Diego and Mikaela, own and manage two DKI outlets in Ottawa and Montreal. 

And when two different weather events hit those two separate cities, causing major damage – on the same day – it could have proved overwhelming for DKI Novatech and DKI Refexio. 

But here’s the thing: DKI members are never really alone. 

We hear how DKI members from across the country – like Director of Operations, Shaun Delorey  - came to the assistance of the Caetano family-run business, insuring they reach their goal, and that of all DKI members: to bring families home. 

Theme music for this episode is You Made it Home and You’ll Find Me by Close Kicks.

DKI does much more than rebuild properties. It builds communities - by welcoming, and working with - all communities. 

And it does this  not just with words, but actions. 

We talk to DKI Corporate’s Adam Tzarik and Alex Dafoe – just as they’re getting ready roll (literally) to show they’re true allies in Toronto’s Pride Parade. 

LINK Canada aims to make the insurance industry the employer of choice for the LGBTQS2 community. It’s why DKI is one of LINK's official supporters. 

We speak to two members who helped bring LINK to Canada and are part of its steering committee. Emily Morine and Ray Chaaya came to the non profit organization for different reasons, but with the same goal. 

And we’ve got a parade-inspired Top 5, courtesy of one of the DKI allies on that float: Natalie Rotondo. 

Theme music for this episode is The House We Built and Fix it For You by Close Kicks.

It happens. 

A client and/or their insurer deem a disaster too big, so they opt not to rebuild. 

But when that property is more than just a building – like a place of worship, for example – that decision weighs heavy. On the people for whom that church was a place of community, certainly. But also for the people who believe it could – it should – be restored. 

Mike Foley of DKI-Foley shares why such a decision to tear down instead of rebuild hit him especially hard. 

DKI has always been great a keepin’ that stick on the ice, eh! And Lory Perrizolo proves it – figuratively and literally. He joins us, rink side, between games of a hockey tournament that demonstrates how DKI RCCN was a champion long before puck drop. 

 And we’ve got another instalment of How I Came To DKI, featuring Natalie Rotondo. 

 Theme music for this episode is This is Everything and Small Town, Big Dreams by Close Kicks 

For any organization to be successful in the present, it needs to not just accept that change is inevitable, but to embrace it. 

The DKI Future Council is comprised of young, but wise-beyond-their-years, DKI members from across the country who do more than just welcome change; they know how to help shape it. 

In this episode we talk to five Future Council members – (and DKI’s next generation of leaders!) - about how change is a positive, and necessary, thing. 

Sean McGregor of DKI-Contech, Alex Holmwood of DKI-Miller, Hannah Catalano with DKI-Clean Scene, Jessica Bradley of DKI-Highland And Mikaela Caetano with DKI-Refexio. 

Theme music for this episode is Fix It For You and Coming Up by Close Kicks.

It’s all around us, unavoidable and, when we better understand it, a great way to get a message out. Veteran journalist and communications expert Nancy Payne explains, by providing us with a teaser of what we can expect at DKI’s AGM, Evolve 2023, in New Brunswick in May. 

Her workshop “Make Your Point: Media relations demystified” will help DKI members gain a better appreciation of how that newspaper or radio or TV station shapes its stories – and how one can prepare for an interview when that reporter comes calling. 

Insurance expert Martin Moran of BFL Canada joins us for Part 2 of a conversation we started earlier this year, to discuss how the personal aspect of his industry is more important than the paperwork portion. 

And we have a Top 5 list that’ll make you laugh. No, really! That’s not fake news! 

Opening theme song is We Made it Home by Close Kicks. Closing theme song is Ghost Stories by Looking for Heather.

Every disaster causes stress – for the property owner and the restoration experts. But when that disaster was not “natural” or the result of a human error – but of human intent – it can be traumatic. In this episode we speak with Dylan Parker of DKI Parker in Windsor, which specializes in restoring properties following break-ins and vandalism. Dylan details some of the technical skills required for this kind of restoration – but also the unique customer relations it requires. 

Psychotherapist Elizabeth Hepworth returns to help us better understand the impact vandalism has on its victims, as well as the DKI experts exposed to it during the restoration process. 

Theme music for this episode is Small Town, Big Dreams and The House We Built, by Close Kicks.

“I was never told that I couldn’t do something because I was woman.”

DKI Canada and its Member locations across the country have made it their mission to not just welcome women, but to actively recruit them. From management and administration roles to the certified tradespeople and technicians who have boots on the ground, women are welcome, and sought after, for every role.

In this episode we speak with Project Managers, Amber Marsh of DKI – ProPacific and  Kim Willson of DKI – Golden Triangle, about what drew them to their roles, and why they’re proud to be part of Canada’s leading disaster restoration Network. We also speak with one of the newest members of the DKI family, Taylor Lamothe, on what made her decide to pursue a career as a water technician.

We wrap up the episode in conversation with Natasha Pinto, DKI Canada’s VP of Operations, on the company’s commitment to embracing equity and diversity in all forms, and the challenges that can come with it.

Music for this episode is Always Be Alright by Close Kicks.