Dear HMI Authorized Members,

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) in the last two years, the United States has experienced 25 weather related disasters exceeding $1 billion in damages. Predictions for the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season call for a total of 16 named storms, 9 of which are expected to become hurricanes, including 5 major hurricanes. With just under a month from the start of hurricane season, HMI is preparing for what appears to be another busy year.

For 2013 HMI is implementing a new protocol whereby crews that it deploys into areas impacted by severe weather will need to complete a brief certification program to ensure they are adequately prepared. The certification program will be webinar-based and offered multiple times between now and the end of June. SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM BY AT LEAST ONE SALES ARBORIST OF EACH COMPANY, WHO WILL BE INVOVLED IN DEPLOYMENT ACTIVITY, will be required for all AUTHORIZED members prior to deployment. The goal of the Program is to discuss deployment protocols, documentation requirements and present methods that may be easily employed to diminish financial and other risks. The topics that will be discussed include:

• Communicating with HMI personnel
• Required Service Levels during deployment (client contact, site inspections, documentation, etc.)
• Pricing guidelines, labor hours, equipment, sub-contractors, etc.
• How to document your work so that your clients' insurance companies will understand the costs and how they apply to coverage in the policy
• How to diminish the risk of non-payment and methods for collecting payment directly from insurers
• How to prepare documentation that will better protect you when doing storm work
• Operational issues you need to consider prior to deployment, including: Insurance, licenses, DOT compliance, local sales taxes, lodging, communications, debris removal plans, etc.

Following the program each company will be asked to sign a document confirming participation, understanding and compliance. The program will be provided by Doug Malawsky, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of HMI. If you are part of our Authorized Member Network, please look for an invitation in the next week.

If you are not already a member and would like more information about joining our network, please contact Gretchen Piechottka, Authorized Member Network Manager at (919) 460-5445 x. 26 or via email at Gretchen@hmiadvantage.com.

Gretchen Piechottka, Authorized Member Network Manager

p. (919) 460-5445 x26