Dorsey Intermodal, a division of Pitts Enterprises, is supplying 195 container chassis to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help it respond with critical relief during any disaster or crisis.
The 40-foot gooseneck chassis are being delivered to locations across the US, from California to Maryland, Dorsey said. FEMA will incorporate them into its fleet, installing bar codes and GPS tracking. Each chassis will be mated with a 40-foot container loaded with water, ready-to-eat meals, office supplies and other necessities to help a dispatched FEMA crew remain on site until a community’s needs have been met.
“On behalf of all the people here at Dorsey Intermodal and Pitts Enterprises,” said JP Pierson, Dorsey Intermodal’s president. “Serving the US government and the American people by providing quality, domestically made product brings pride across our entire plant.”
The company said it expects to complete delivery by April 30, fulfilling a contract it was awarded in late 2019. With safeguards in place to ensure the health and safety of its team members during the current novel coronavirus pandemic, the Dorsey Intermodal facility remains in active production.
“The transportation industry, in general, is essential for moving goods and supplies, not only to locations like hospitals and grocery stores, but also to end users who are practicing social distancing or serving people in desperate need,” Pierson explained.
The rugged chassis made in Pittsview AL typically are destined to ports or rail yards, where they are used to transport goods of all kinds.
“We’re honored to have Dorsey equipment serve this important function for FEMA,” Pierson said. “As we’ve learned more about the agency’s essential preparations, we are impressed and humbled to play a small part.”