Author: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
Suicides in general are hard to deal with- from the family to the police on scene, and for our crew remediating the affected area(s). Many suicides are orchestrated and conducted with guns, however there are other ways we have found people decide to take their own life. Looking back into last years' bio jobs, we had many suicides, and one really sticks out in my mind. Amanda and I were barbecuing with our neighbors on a quiet Monday evening when we got the call for one of the most extensive and hardest bio jobs to date.
It almost seemed unreal and a bit shocking after the conversation ended- someone had jumped off of a 400 foot building causing major damage to the building and to the public who witnessed the event. All we knew from the call was there was damage to the third floor sky lights, blood and body parts in two pools under the sky lights, and blood on the street where part of the body fell. We arrived as soon as the police released the scene and were given a tour to every room, space, and area where blood and flesh were found. Without a doubt we knew we could not only handle this bio job, but make the building safe again.
After 55 man hours and two days of work, our crew successfully cleaned the sky lights where the victim initially made contact, the third floor sky deck, the street where the ending contact was made, the two pools after they were drained, the pool deck, and two sand filters. There were some scary moments for us during the decontamination process- we only had approximately four feet of space to work on while cleaning the sky lights (one side was the sky lights and the other side was the edge of the deck looking down onto the street). Once in the pool deck area we had to use a 20 foot ladder to clean the inside of the sky lights all while holding our supplies and chemicals- reaching and balancing- trying not to fall- challenge accepted!.
We walked away from this job knowing we took care of our clients and helped a business try to get back to normal operations. Yes it was scary at times, and yes it was hard work, but Bio-One is always up to the task. No job is too big and no job is too small. With much pride, we work diligently and our end results prove our motto- Help First, Business Second.
Author: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
This past week we had the opportunity to help a family during undoubtedly the worst time in their lives. While the event made news media headlines, it hit our hearts more than anything. Unlike many of our other blood/bio jobs, homicides and suicides are our most sensitive and heartbreaking calls. Not only did a family lose a loved one or loved ones unexpectedly, but emotions are on the rise including shock, denial, anger, and sadness. While we are not therapists by any means, we are programmed to be that shoulder to cry on, to be that ear, and to be that company that comes in and makes the event look like it never happened.
Many jobs we take on are emotional, but this one this past week took a toll we have not had to endure just yet. A family was brutally killed in a home, including small children, and it seemed so unreal. Blood found its way in just about every room of the home describing an event no one should ever witness or be a victim of. Our company is very well known across the United States, and most definitely in St. Louis. That being said- the police department in charge of this investigation told the family to contact us, Bio-One STC, and gave them our phone number. The P.D. knew if we were called that the home would be remediated and not a drop of blood would be left.
Twenty man hours later working into the night, our crew finished the scene. Looking over the home multiple times to make sure we did not miss a thing, we left knowing we made a huge difference in the family's life. We kept it together knowing what happened to make such a huge job, and we put our heads to work. Many people may wonder how in the world we could have handled this job, but there is one important thing they will never understand unless they do what we do- we helped a family during the utmost tragic and painful time of their lives, and by what we did- we may have just eased the pain even if so slightly.
Thank you!
Author: Megan and Amanda Boccardi
This week we were busy- busy helping others as we do each and every job. Summer time is our busy season due to smells becoming more conspicuous, people are out drinking and hanging with friends and family, and crime is on the rise. Since we are in the season of Spring, we are starting to get into that "busy" season and this season eases us into running every day from job to job and bid to bid. A week in the life of Bio-One changes each and every week for we never know how our month will go, our week will go, our day will go, or even our night. Being prepared to stop whatever we are doing at the drop of a hat has become our second nature.
Monday this week started us off with a MRSA job in the early afternoon- a job where our technician was ready and headed to immediately. Our client's dog had passed from MRSA and she wanted her home disinfectd in case any traces were left from her pet. Our new technician, who we just certified, was ready to help her and responded quickly and was very thorough in the sanitation process. The gratitude and sense of safety our client felt when our technician was finished was worth more than anything else we could have been given.
Then came an undiscovered death/decomposition call from a property manager who we have previously done work for. He manages several properties and sadly one of his tenants was found deceased by his roommate who was out of town for a few days. Our technicians again responded immediately and remediated the apartment bedroom where the body was found. A few days undiscovered is not high on the scale of contamination and work to be done- but it causes just enough damage where Bio-One is needed. The next day we received a call for another undiscovered death/decomposition but this one sounded more extensive- the man was deceased for over a month before he was found. His son called us desperate for help and feeling lost on what to do. Our full crew responded to the father's home and worked for 9 hours which included them practically performing a demo of the entire bathroom where he was found. The bodily fluids had soaked through two layers of flooring and two layers of sub-floor into the basement. After our work was completed and our ozone machine ran for several hours, the house smelt clean and the house was now safe for habitation.
Our phone was ringing non-stop this week- many potential clients called gathering information on their current situations asking the experts for advice and direction. We build relationships with our clients, relationships that are formed from the first phone call where trust has been established. Being in this business, Amanda and I have to be trustworthy and honest to all potential clients and current clients. Compassion and empathy have to be there towards our clients, and those qualities cannot be fake (people hear and see right through forced compassion and empathy). Sincerely we are here to help, and sincerely we always do.
Thank you!
