ABRA, along with six other like-minded non-profit organizations, entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last week during the Indoor Air Quality Association’s (IAQA) Annual Meeting & Exposition in West Palm Beach. ABRA President Thomas Licker signed the agreement on the association’s behalf.

The purpose of the MOU is to identify and recognize current standards and credentials developed and administered by the Allied Industry Partner organizations, and related industry organizations which includes ABRA's Bio Recovery Site Risk Assessment Guidelines and its Certified Bio Recovery Technician, Supervisor and Master certification programs.

“This partnership was established in an effort to strengthen our industry and represent our collective memberships to the best of our ability. Many voices are stronger than one and we stand together for this purpose,” said Lantz, NADCA. “Understanding the importance and sharing the common goal of setting and upholding high level expertise through education, certification and adherence to standards is what helped get us here.”

Organizations comprising the Allied Industry Partners group are; the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA); the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA),  Environmental Information Association (EIA), the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the Basement Health Association (BHA). 

As part of the MoU, all those involved have agreed to cooperate and coordinate at a level that ensures maximum efficiency, utilizes available resources, and is consistent with the principles of all. The Allied Industry Partners will maintain close liaison at the senior level by the most effective means available to ensure that each organization is aware of the applicable functions and activities of the other. They will encourage their members to work cooperatively on the mutual review and revision of industry standards and authorized representatives from each organization will meet in-person, annually, to evaluate progress in the implementation of the MoU and revise and develop new plans as needed. The partners will also serve as a unified voice on regulation and legislative issues, where appropriate.

“With all of the confusion of what is a 2nd party certificate of training and what is a third party peer reviewed Certification/Credential program, this will help recognize, align and help define a level of industry professionalism” added Licker. “The combined experience and expertise of all those involved is unmatched and the Allied Industry Partners are going to leverage that collaboration in support of each other and the broader IAQ industry.” added Lantz. 

About ABRA

When the first responders or environmental health officials have left the scene and finished their investigation, family members are often left with dealing with an unforgettable mess or contaminated property.  Crime/Trauma or infectious disease events happen every day and this is where the unsung heroes of the American Bio Recovery Association can help.  The member companies and certified technicians within ABRA are among the highest trained and regarded in the field of responding and mitigating the unthinkable. ABRA Active Member companies and technicians voluntarily invest in ABRA's peer reviewed third-party certification programs. They are dedicated to being the best at what they do.  With so many companies claiming they are certified, the professionals of ABRA offer the consumer peace of mind knowing that when they search for help on this website, they are getting the best care in the industry.

What is Bio Recovery?

Bio Recovery is the act of assessing risk, mitigating threats and remediating conditions resulting from the release of biological hazards. This may include crime and trauma mitigation (bloodborne and body fluids), suicide cleanup, outbreak response, zoonotic diseases, foodborne diseases, public health threats, illicit drugs and clandestine drug labs.

For more information on the American Bio Recovery Association, please visit our website at www.americanbioreocovery.org.