Latest news with #RobertDugan
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Building With Resilience Makes Case for Non-Combustible Building Materials as California Rebuilds from Wildfires
Building With Resilience emphasizes that non-combustible construction materials—readily available in California today—offer the best solution for achieving climate, clean air, and water goals while strengthening communities against natural disasters. SACRAMENTO, Calif., May 12, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Californians are faced with a number of choices and challenges as they evaluate rebuilding following recent wildfires, and a campaign launched today provides resources and insights on the best path forward. Building With Resilience shows how non-combustible construction materials not only enhance fire safety but can lower insurance costs and help reach ambitious climate targets—materials produced locally and readily available here in California. The campaign makes the case for why incentivizing and investing in fire-resistant, non-combustible building materials is the most cost-effective and sustainable way to rebuild in fire-damaged areas while protecting community safety. "People have learned for thousands of years that you can never truly fireproof our built environment. And yet we know owners, designers, and builders are still having to make choices each day about non-combustible materials used in construction and infrastructure development. This initiative will help make clear there is an absolute standard for fire resilience," said Robert Dugan, President and CEO of CalCIMA. "We'll convene the world's leading experts with a focus on how we can prioritize the use of concrete, masonry, metal, stone, fiber-cement, and asphalt readily available here in California today and in ways that meet the state's ambitious environmental and climate goals. This matters not only for housing but for community infrastructure, especially roads and water which are critical during fire events. We know the structural and sustainable arguments for concrete homes and infrastructure are being made. There are companies in-market today delivering–but we need local governments to prioritize codes and ordinances that ensure a smooth path to non-combustible construction. We expect this initiative to help local leaders prioritize where they can act today." "California is at a turning point where we can and must build better than before. We can no longer tolerate homes and communities being destroyed by fires by rebuilding in ways that we know aren't safe. Let's build our future with safer structures by using materials that don't burn, rot, or rust. This will minimize damage and speed up recovery for those of us that will inevitably face future fire threats," said Tom Tietz, Executive Director of the California Nevada Cement Association. "We know there are debates, trade-offs, and intense conversations happening on these topics—especially among lawmakers, insurance experts, and building code officials—but we simply must prioritize the ways communities can withstand changing climate patterns and natural disasters," said Shamim Rashid-Sumar, Senior Vice President, Codes and Standards and fire building codes expert with NRMCA. "We believe showing why building with non-combustible materials is the best overall path forward given all the natural disasters and emergencies we must prepare for is an issue worth championing." The Building With Resilience effort will engage lawmakers, communities, and citizens to increase awareness and education, and consolidate resources for experts seeking information on the highest levels of structural durability, strategies for slowing wildfire spread, and increasing building sustainably. The initiative's mission also includes fostering cross-sector collaboration that advances safer, more sustainable practices for building and rebuilding homes, commercial structures, and infrastructure. About NRMCA - Founded in 1930, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) is the leading industry advocate with a mission to provide exceptional value for our members by responsibly representing and serving the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, education and partnering to ensure ready mixed concrete is the building material of choice. Build With Strength is an initiative of NRMCA that seeks to educate the building and design communities and policymakers on the benefits of ready mixed concrete. About CalCIMA - CalCIMA is a trade association for the construction and essential mineral industries in California, including aggregate, essential and rare earth minerals, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt producers. In all, there are about 70 producer member companies that include 500 production sites in every county of California. Our members also include more than 100 suppliers and service providers to the industry. About CNCA - CNCA is the not-for-profit organization committed to developing sustainable and economical construction solutions for California and Nevada with an emphasis on the use of cement and concrete. CNCA provides expert technical leadership, design assistance, and educational opportunities designed to responsibly transform our built environment and improve the lives of people throughout the region. The member companies of the CNCA are cement producers and shippers. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts spridmore@ (310) 293-0286 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
12-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Building With Resilience Makes Case for Non-Combustible Building Materials as California Rebuilds from Wildfires
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Californians are faced with a number of choices and challenges as they evaluate rebuilding following recent wildfires, and a campaign launched today provides resources and insights on the best path forward. Building With Resilience shows how non-combustible construction materials not only enhance fire safety but can lower insurance costs and help reach ambitious climate targets—materials produced locally and readily available here in California. The campaign makes the case for why incentivizing and investing in fire-resistant, non-combustible building materials is the most cost-effective and sustainable way to rebuild in fire-damaged areas while protecting community safety. Share The campaign makes the case for why incentivizing and investing in fire-resistant, non-combustible building materials is the most cost-effective and sustainable way to rebuild in fire-damaged areas while protecting community safety. 'People have learned for thousands of years that you can never truly fireproof our built environment. And yet we know owners, designers, and builders are still having to make choices each day about non-combustible materials used in construction and infrastructure development. This initiative will help make clear there is an absolute standard for fire resilience,' said Robert Dugan, President and CEO of CalCIMA. 'We'll convene the world's leading experts with a focus on how we can prioritize the use of concrete, masonry, metal, stone, fiber-cement, and asphalt readily available here in California today and in ways that meet the state's ambitious environmental and climate goals. This matters not only for housing but for community infrastructure, especially roads and water which are critical during fire events. We know the structural and sustainable arguments for concrete homes and infrastructure are being made. There are companies in-market today delivering–but we need local governments to prioritize codes and ordinances that ensure a smooth path to non-combustible construction. We expect this initiative to help local leaders prioritize where they can act today.' 'California is at a turning point where we can and must build better than before. We can no longer tolerate homes and communities being destroyed by fires by rebuilding in ways that we know aren't safe. Let's build our future with safer structures by using materials that don't burn, rot, or rust. This will minimize damage and speed up recovery for those of us that will inevitably face future fire threats,' said Tom Tietz, Executive Director of the California Nevada Cement Association. 'We know there are debates, trade-offs, and intense conversations happening on these topics—especially among lawmakers, insurance experts, and building code officials—but we simply must prioritize the ways communities can withstand changing climate patterns and natural disasters,' said Shamim Rashid-Sumar, Senior Vice President, Codes and Standards and fire building codes expert with NRMCA. 'We believe showing why building with non-combustible materials is the best overall path forward given all the natural disasters and emergencies we must prepare for is an issue worth championing.' The Building With Resilience effort will engage lawmakers, communities, and citizens to increase awareness and education, and consolidate resources for experts seeking information on the highest levels of structural durability, strategies for slowing wildfire spread, and increasing building sustainably. The initiative's mission also includes fostering cross-sector collaboration that advances safer, more sustainable practices for building and rebuilding homes, commercial structures, and infrastructure. About NRMCA - Founded in 1930, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) is the leading industry advocate with a mission to provide exceptional value for our members by responsibly representing and serving the entire ready mixed concrete industry through leadership, promotion, education and partnering to ensure ready mixed concrete is the building material of choice. Build With Strength is an initiative of NRMCA that seeks to educate the building and design communities and policymakers on the benefits of ready mixed concrete. About CalCIMA - CalCIMA is a trade association for the construction and essential mineral industries in California, including aggregate, essential and rare earth minerals, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt producers. In all, there are about 70 producer member companies that include 500 production sites in every county of California. Our members also include more than 100 suppliers and service providers to the industry. - CNCA is the not-for-profit organization committed to developing sustainable and economical construction solutions for California and Nevada with an emphasis on the use of cement and concrete. CNCA provides expert technical leadership, design assistance, and educational opportunities designed to responsibly transform our built environment and improve the lives of people throughout the region. The member companies of the CNCA are cement producers and shippers. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Kills morale': Students in Mass. town to hold walkout in protest of ‘brutal' staffing cuts
Students in a Massachusetts town will hold a walkout on Monday in protest of 'brutal' job cuts and a temporary school closure, impacting dozens of staff members come the next school year. The North Andover school district sent out about 40 job elimination letters across PreK-12, affecting both full-time staff and contracted employees for one-year terms. Some teachers gathered outside North Andover High School ahead of the planned student walkout. 'It's frustrating and it's sad and it's brutal for our teachers and it kills morale. I lost almost 60% of my department,' teacher Robert Dugan said. Teacher Tony Delmonico added, 'Our pleas have fallen on deaf ears and now we're just banking on a good show of support at town meeting on May 13 to get the townspeople to vote on a better school budget.' The North Andover Teachers Association had warned that the approval of a $68.2 million budget for the next year would result in the loss of 40 jobs and the closure of Kittredge Elementary School. In a post from March 8, NATA outlined the challenges: not only will jobs be eliminated, but class sizes will increase, and funding for athletics will be reduced by 10%. Posted by North Andover Teachers Association on Saturday, March 8, 2025 North Andover Superintendent Pamela Lathrop said this is a 9.89% increase from last year's budget but its $3.5 million dollars less than a level of services budget meaning 'difficult decisions will need to be made.' Lathrop pointed to the end of federal stimulus funding, which had helped during the pandemic, as a major factor in the district's financial challenges, bringing funding back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Staffing reductions will occur at all levels—elementary, middle, high school, and central office. Additionally, Kittredge Elementary School will be temporarily closed in an effort to maintain financial stability. Lathrop explained that keeping Kittredge open would require 'deep, impactful cuts' elsewhere in the district. The closure of Kittredge will help keep class sizes within the range of 18-25 students per class. Other cuts include reductions to summer IT support, individual school budgets, and curriculum funding. 'These decisions are never easy, but they are necessary to stabilize the district's finances while continuing to prioritize student learning,' said Lathrop. Staff members have yet to hear about any transfers taking place.'When you give your heart and soul to something every single day and then told you are not worth the money, which and we know the money's there right, Middle School teacher Nick Conti said. 'It feels really bad. It feels like something is not right.' In a second letter to the community, Superintendent Lathrop said, 'Throughout this process, we have worked closely with the North Andover Teachers Association to ensure that we are following the provisions outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). We will continue to collaborate and provide support to affected staff members in the days and weeks ahead.' Union members now hope a change can be made by the town select board, making an amendment to the budget at their May 13th meeting. High School students are also planning a walkout on Monday, March 24 to express their concerns. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
