Across The Street, Across The Country

TW: The following episode contains content about suicide. Listener discretion is advised.“It’s not for everybody,” warns Chris Kelly of DKI - Parker in Windsor, Ontario. Indeed, the trauma and crime scene restoration specialist has been exposed to work sites that keep him up at night. But a recent one had an especially profound effect on him. It earned him DKI Canada’s Comp

It’s been almost a year and a half since we last spoke to DKI’s Future Council. Its members have gained a lot of wisdom since that time. They also gained a new member. We reconnect with Mikaela Caetano of DKI - Refexio, Alex Holmwood of DKI - Miller and Jessica Bradley of DKI - Highland. We also connect – for the first time – with their new FC colleague, Jordan Mills, of DK

DKI is, indeed, the leader in Canadian restoration. And its members achieve this national goal, by knowing how to deliver that message to their own unique parts of the country. Because what works out west may not necessarily work as effectively out east. Then again, it might. Lindsay Sereda, Marketing Director of DKI - SDS in Saskatchewan can speak to this – and does in our featu

It takes many people with many skills to take on - and successfully complete – a full restoration. That typically requires contracting out one or two (or several) sub-trades. DKI - RCCN, however, found a way to reduce its need to sub-contract. Lory Perizzolo, CEO of the Calgary-based DKI member, tells us how. Cities, neighbourhoods and homes are constantly evolving, adapting to n

They’re no longer anomalies. Major catastrophes are now regular – even seasonal - occurrences. And they’ve spawned an industry of experts who provide important catastrophe-related data to insurance and public sector stakeholders. CatIQ is leading that charge, with Laura Twidle at its helm. The Chief Executive Officer tells us how CatIQ is meeting this (ever-increasing and eve

They may have big monetary value. Or they may not. And it doesn’t matter. Because to the person who cherishes that item - that piece of jewellery, that garment, that picture, that chair, table or dresser - it’s the emotional value that’s most important. So if it’s been damaged due to catastrophe, restoring it is paramount.Sean Carter, of Calgary Contents, has spent much of

Think of it as a jumbo-sized Play-Doh dispenser. But instead of child’s clay, it squirts out a specially-formulated concrete-like material. And instead of it being used to create a dinosaur or a volcano on the kitchen table, it’s used to build houses on lots – faster, less costly and better able to withstand natural disasters than conventional construction, say its practioner

It’s not that learning-on-the-job can – or should – be replaced. But DKI knows that formal training, in a classroom setting, for its members – present and future ones – also helps to guarantee its standing as Canada’s leader in property restoration. It’s why DKI played no small role in working with Humber College to develop a new 14-week virtual program for those new

The restoration industry will always rely on skilled people using good old-fashioned hand tools. And DKI has those in spades. (Get it?) But Canada’s leader in property restoration also knows it has to be a leader in industry innovation. That demands adapting to, and embracing, digital technology. DKI’s VP of Software Development, Jason Rosen, tells us how this is being achieved

Ryan, Matt and Kyle Douglas weren’t quite satisfied with just one DKI outlet – carrying on a legacy that was built by the Douglas patriarch, Cris, who is also a DKI founder. So the bros headed 80 Ks north east from their Oshawa location to expand their DKI - CRCS in Peterborough. They share their story of expansion, from the site of their new venture – days before its officia