Posts Tagged ‘EPA’
NATSO Foundation Launches H1N1 Toolkit
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009
The NATSO (National Association of Truck Stop Owners) Foundation has introduced an online toolkit to help truck stop and travel plaza owners, as well as the general motoring public, prepare for a potential disruption to business or travel plans due to an outbreak of the H1N1 flu. The web-based informational kit is titled “H1N1 For No One” and was created in accordance with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ guidelines recommending that travelers and the businesses that cater to them create plans for influenza outbreaks.
NATSO says the kit draws on the top recommendations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Environmental Protection Agency, and is filled with industry-specific information on minimizing exposure risks and maintaining operations during a pandemic.
The kit also includes tips on developing contingency plans, serving ill travelers and keeping locations clean and sanitary. NATSO has created a customer handout that can be downloaded from the site to keep professional drivers, fleet operators and travelers current on H1N1. Additional sections within the kit cover business insurance, flu vaccination clinics and best practices.
“Thousands of travelers rely on truckstops and travel plazas daily for food and fuel,” says Lisa Mullings, president of the NATSO Foundation. “We want the public to know that we are taking H1N1 seriously and are making the necessary preparations so we can continue to provide the level of service we are known for even if a pandemic occurs.”
The kit is available free of charge for all truck stop and travel plaza operators. For more information, click here.
Photo courtesy of bfishadow under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: CDC, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, H1N1, National Association of Truck Stop Owners, NATSO, US Department of Health and Human Services
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Florist’s Business Blossoms with Transit Connect
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Michigan-based Mancuso Florists has weighed in on the benefits of the fuel-efficient Ford Transit Connect. The compact van has helped the business cut down on its fuel costs while maximizing its deliveries.
“It costs us about $30 to fill the gas tank in the Transit Connect,” said Frank Mancuso, proprietor of Mancuso Florists in St. Clair Shores, Mich. “It costs us about $70 to fill the tank in one of our full-size vans. A full tank lasts around the same time in either vehicle, so delivery costs are significantly reduced by using the Transit Connect.”
The Transit Connect is specifically engineered to meet the needs of small businesses, according to Ford. It is built on a dedicated front-wheel drive commercial platform, with a 2.0L Duratec I-4 engine and an automatic overdrive transaxle. The van delivers 22 city, 25 highway EPA-rated miles per gallon, and provides 135.3 cubic feet of cargo space with a payload capacity of 1,600 pounds.
The customizable nature of the Transit connect allows it to be specially fitted for the unique needs of any business, including a flower shop. The split rear cargo doors and low load floor make both loading and deliveries significantly easier.
“While reduced delivery costs are critical, Transit Connect offers other key advantages for floral retailers,” said Bruce Wright, editor of Flowers Magazine. “Small overall dimensions make Transit Connect much more maneuverable than traditional full-size vans, key in urban markets. It’s easier to handle and much simpler to park, reducing driver stress.”
The Transit Connect also presents the right image for a florist. “A full-size van is almost invisible, because they’re everywhere,” observed Mancuso. “But all kinds of people notice our Transit Connect. Our drivers get so many inquiries about the vehicle, we hand out cards with information about it. Transit Connect serves as a ‘rolling billboard’ for our business.”
Photo courtesy of Irargerich under the Creative Commons License.
Tags: Duratec I-4, EPA, Flowers Magazine, Ford, Mancuso Florists, Transit Connect
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