First Response Environmental

First Response Environmental stands at the forefront of emergency services. The premier, full-service environmental emergency and disaster response company has carved its niche, specializing in a comprehensive array of services.

The company has set a benchmark in the industry, renowned for its expertise in handling critical situations like crime scene cleanup, hazardous material response, and high-stakes scenarios such as rail derailments, aircraft and marine incidents and confined space rescues.

At the heart of its operations lies the ability to manage a wide spectrum of claims with high levels of proficiency, ranging from smaller residential cases to large-scale, multi-million dollar commercial and industrial losses. This breadth of expertise is the foundation for its ability to address diverse environmental emergencies and underscores its adaptability to various scales of operations.

Highlighting its holistic service offerings, Jay J. Lozecki, president of First Response, says, “Being a full-service environmental emergency and disaster response company allows us to be a one-stop solution for our clients.”

This reflects the firm’s dedication as a reliable partner in environmental management and disaster recovery.

The Triad of Specialized Services

First Response operates under three primary categories— emergency environmental services, disaster response and general contracting.

The firm is established as a dependable round-the-clock provider of emergency environmental services. Its expertise encompasses environmental remediation, waste management, transportation, and swift responses to environmental emergencies and spills. The company’s proficiency extends to handling complex scenarios ranging from highway incidents, such as vehicle collisions and rollovers, to fixed-facility operations.

When it comes to environmental scenarios, First Response’s dedicated spill and hazmat (hazardous materials) response teams are known for their adherence to provincial and federal regulations. The company’s marine spill response division stands out for its proactive approach, mitigating potential threats to aquatic ecosystems. Equipped with an arsenal of work boats, absorbents and containment booms, certified marine operations logistics (MOL) divers and recovery teams provide containment services for the shipping industry on the Great Lakes.

Further enhancing its portfolio, First Response offers specialized crime and trauma scene services, encompassing everything from initial discovery through the aftermath of incidents, including accidents, homicides and natural fatalities. Handling forensic evidence with the utmost care, the firm is one of the select environmental companies in Ontario authorized to transport biohazardous and pathological waste.

Complementing its crime and trauma scene services, First Response collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies. A trusted partner, it is authorized to securely store evidence related to criminal activities. Expertise extends to clandestine lab services, addressing the significant threat posed by illicit methamphetamine production. As a supplier of skilled consultants and technical equipment to law enforcement, First Response plays a crucial role in the safe removal of toxic and flammable chemicals. Highly valued for their specialized knowledge, the consultants perform comprehensive inspections, develop protocols and guide action plans, often retained by client for their expertise in environmental impact assessments.

Capabilities in disaster response include rapid response and remediation, mold and asbestos abatement, and restoration services. The firm is adept at minimizing property damage and offering timely relief during fires, floods and severe weather conditions, backed by a large and versatile inventory that enables prompt and effective service delivery across various sectors.

First Response’s general contracting services are highly regarded for their quality and versatility. These services range from replacement and renovation to demolition, catering to a diverse clientele, including cities, towns, municipalities, and private and commercial sectors. First Response is adept at restoring facilities to their pre-loss condition, and managing environmental impacts and the repercussions of natural disasters.

From addressing the aftermath of explosions to handling structural and interior damage, First Response’s comprehensive approach covers every aspect, from the initial stages of an incident to the final steps of repair and restoration of residential or commercial properties.

Operational Excellence and Autonomy

First Response exemplifies a paradigm of operational excellence, marked by its autonomous, efficient, and client-focused service delivery. It has mastered an in-house service capability, enabling comprehensive control and adaptability.

“We have the ability to perform all services in-house, which grants us total control and flexibility to provide prompt and effective services,” says Lozecki.

Central to its operational autonomy is the 24/7 availability of their environmental hazardous waste facility. This setup empowers it to swiftly address incidents at any hour, bypassing the additional costs and complexities of external dependencies. This autonomy is further complemented by their expertise in handling a wide array of hazardous materials. Whether dealing with smaller quantities, on-site bulking or transferring substances, their process is seamless and agile. Maintaining a significant inventory of equipment and resources, First Response is always prepared for any exigency.

The firm’s operational adeptness extends to managing a diverse spectrum of hazardous materials, ranging from biohazardous and pathological to radioactive substances and fuel oil. This versatility stems from their coordinated operations, offering clients comprehensive, single-source solutions and eliminating the need to liaise with multiple vendors. Their expansive fleet, one of North America’s largest, allows them to undertake and manage multiple projects without compromising operational agility.

In addition to their operational capabilities, First Response is equipped with advanced mobile command units featuring security surveillance and satellite communication. This facilitates impeccable coordination, particularly in remote areas, enhancing their efficiency during critical emergency responses. Their strategic geographic positioning enables rapid mobilization of support staff across U.S. and Canadian operations, establishing a swift, cross-border network for extensive response services.

On the regulatory front, the firm adheres to all guidelines set by the Ministry of Environment (MOE), the Ministry of Labour, and other regulatory entities, and holds an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). This compliance ensures client strategies are aligned with the highest industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Effective Solutions, Impactful Outcomes

First Response predominantly serves clients from insurance channels, municipalities, and regional city contracts. The engagement process begins with a thorough initial meeting to understand timelines, expectations, and overall objectives, especially critical in sensitive scenarios. Tailored strategies are developed, aligning action plans with contractor and client requirements.

Underscoring the core ideology of these engagements, Lozecki says, “We operate with full transparency, executing a project smoothly and generating desired outcomes. This commitment extends to maintaining clear and effective communication with clients, providing weekly or daily updates based on project sensitivity.”

“We Operate With Full Transparency, Executing A Project Smoothly And Generating Desired Outcomes. This Commitment Extends To Maintaining Clear And Effective Communication With Clients, Providing Weekly Or Daily Updates Based On Project Sensitivity”

A compelling client success story illustrates the effectiveness of this customer-centric approach, where First Response successfully navigated a complex environmental remediation project.

An extensive two-year-long project involved a city-owned, multi-dwelling commercial apartment unit. A major fire inflicted substantial water and fire damage, damaging a complete wing comprising 30 units. Extensive water use during firefighting resulted in severe mold contamination, raising environmental concerns.

The challenge at hand was to address the water and fire damage, mitigate mold growth, and resolve complex environmental issues.

In the aftermath, First Response was entrusted with delivering end-to-end solutions, rebuilding and restoring the entire building. The fully restored building was recently handed over to the client, facilitating the return of tenants.

Diverse Expertise, United Commitment

At First Response, a deeper analysis of their customer success stories reveals a diverse and dynamic team of 90 full-time professionals, each bringing insights from various fields, including insurance, municipal services and environmental disaster response. The longevity of their tenure stands as a testament to their significant contributions to the company’s achievements.

Alec A. Lozecki, Vice President; Bradley Lozecki, Managing Director; and Matthew Lozecki, Managing Director of First Response, steer the company toward new heights of operational efficiency and customer-centricity. Donna Lozecki, the VP of Finance and Lozecki’s mother, contributes extensive financial expertise that is critical for managing large projects and ensuring timely vendor payments.

In Emergency Services, Mitchell Gibbs, the Director, contributes over 40 years of industry experience to the team, considerably boosting their skills. Senior Project Manager Steve Tylliros brings over 20 years of valuable experience to the table. Doug Lowther, the Director of Operations, leverages his extensive 30-plus years of insurance background to enhance operational management. Danielle Lea, who handles accounting and special projects, and John F. Hollingworth, who is the QA program manager, combine their expertise to strengthen First Response’s operational capabilities and ensure the highest standards in quality assurance. Grace Dattomo of Business Development plays a pivotal role in the firm’s efforts on bids, bonds, and compliance. SNR Project Manager Rick Defrias brings extensive expertise, ensuring successful project delivery through meticulous planning and execution. The firm’s extensive administrative and support staff, along with dedicated team leaders and field project managers, play a crucial role in ensuring the seamless execution of its comprehensive emergency and disaster solutions. A few names include Peter Polimeneas, Vic Randazzo, Gene Lefebvre as well as Tracey Taylor, Bonnie Molnar, and Ria Gagulic.

Since the insurance requirements in the industry are extensive, proper alignment with a knowledgeable broker experienced in all insurance platforms becomes key. First Response here relies on Ralph Vitello, R.I.B. (Ont), senior vice president of Tripemco Insurance Group.

First Response fosters a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. This ethos is pivotal in understanding and addressing client needs. The organization champions open communication, enabling every team member to actively contribute their ideas and concerns.

Beyond nurturing its internal team, it highly emphasizes forming strong vendor relationships. This is evident in their commitment to timely payments, ensuring the availability of reliable support, especially critical during emergency responses.

In tune with the evolving environmental sector, First Response is keenly aware of the increasing shift toward electric vehicles (EV) and electric-operated equipment. This trend demands efficient disposal and handling of EV-related items, prompting it to strategically align its services to support this global transition. It is also expanding its hydro-vac division, focusing on large industrial vacuum trucks and branching into environmental demolition.

Environmental services are being enhanced for the insurance sector. This move is aimed at improving its response to insurance-related incidents, reinforcing its comprehensive service offerings. These initiatives will further fortify its service portfolio, solidifying First Response’s position at the forefront of the latest industry developments.

"We continue to negotiate several acquisitions to expand operations and widen territory coverage and capabilities," says Lozecki. "We will continue to develop specialty services within the Insurance Industry to better serve Canadian Insurers."