Fiery Grand Opening Arcticle by Yankee Xpress

Disaster Restoration Services (DRS) – a full service mitigation and restoration company – held a fiery Grand Opening on Thursday, September 22, in celebration of their new location at 9 Rosenfeld Drive in Hopedale.  A proud row of DRS employees posed for photographs while President Dan Strong cut the ceremonial ribbon beside his sister, Vice President Tammy Strong, to initiate a gala that included brick oven pizza (served from a fire truck), a Fire Gypsy (named Sasha), cocktails (beer, wine and vodka), give-away prizes (numerous surprises) and even a Magician (named David Hall).

“We want to get people excited and create brand awareness,” said Tammy Strong. “Half the battle is to educate people on the process in the event that a disaster happens.  We want people to have our number in advance so that they can begin the mitigation process as soon as possible.  Not a lot of people know that we are here,” added the president’s big sis – who capitalized on the opportunity to work with her brother shortly after he started the business in Middletown CT (2009). “We have a telepathic situation going on as siblings.  We both understand each other.  He is strong in certain attributes, which I am weak in and vice-versa.  We complement each other.  That’s what sets our business apart from other restoration businesses.  We are family oriented and we’re going to be there for you.”

Not only will DRS be there for you; they will also be fully licensed, insured, and medically certified to handle disasters from start to finish in the process.  Moreover, in order to restore a damaged area, they employ certified remodeling carpenters for kitchens, bathrooms, roofs, decks, finished cabinetry and everything in between.

“My employees are highly certified and trained individuals.  I have personally worked with them for over fifteen years and trust them with my home and my kids,” said Dan Strong.  “Our specialty is in being there for a situation quickly, professionally, and preparedly.  We show up fully equipped and ready to go.  98% of the time we arrive at a crisis within the hour called.  I make it extremely important for my crews to respond after hours.  Our customers are an extension of our family and friends.  We like to leave an impression.”

Be it through a charity event (they have donated to epilepsy causes, hold an annual coat drive, and are heavily involved with community service), household disaster, or school flood, DRS has left an impression during their seven years of service.

Said Carolyn Stratton, Marketing Director for DRS, “I love that it’s a family business.  We are all close to each other.  We respond immediately to a disaster, set up equipment, deal with insurance claims, adjustors, approvals, photographs and payment.  We explain how things will work and why we think the situation can improve.  Helping to restore homes and businesses after fire damage or another crisis feels good at the end of the day.”

Perhaps no one is quite as qualified to review this brother-sister team as a woman who knows him and her best.  Said Robin Markham, Mother of Dan and Tammy Strong, Custodian for the East Hartford Board of Education and High School Booster Club Executive, “I’m so proud of my kids in that they succeeded and did better than I did.   That’s what we all want.  We have the same goal, which is to do quality work and never give up.”

Dan Strong has no intention of giving up.  The DRS President remains humble about his past accomplishments and optimistic about his future. “I have achieved another goal and I’ve got to start new ones.  We are laying the foundation to respond to national catastrophe work and possibly open up some more offices in the future.”

Due to their ‘on-fire’ success and expansion, DRS is currently hiring.  Interested technicians and laborers eighteen years of age or older can contact Carolyn Stratton atcstratton@drscleanup.com  or call:  860-788-6822

DRS is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call them at 877-280-7961 or go to www.drscleanup.com. Their service area encompasses all of Connecticut and Central Massachusetts.

Brother and sister DRS owners Tammy and Dan Strong are all smiles when it comes to caution.

-Amy Palumbo-LeClaire, Yankee Xpress