SmartSource Rentals Provides Critical Technology to Help Fight Wildfires in Western U.S.
September 17, 2015
Most people trade show professionals know SmartSource Computer & Audio Visual Rentals as a technology provider within the trade show industry, but for the past 17 years, they also have been providing service for something completely outside the business.
The company has been playing a critical role providing its technology to the National Interagency Wildland Firefighting Teams, who are leading the battle against wildfires that have been raging in several U.S. Western states.
“So far this year, 39,254 wildfires have burned nearly 6.4 million acres in the U.S.,” according to the USDA Office of Communications.
SmartSource Rentals President and CEO Peter Handal said, “We are extremely proud of the confidence the National Interagency Wildland Firefighting Teams have placed in SmartSource Rentals and its ability to deliver technology that is helping this vital agency in its mission to protect and preserve the nation’s forests and grasslands.”
He added, “While its elite wildland firefighting team members are in a vigorous battle against intense wildfires, being able to help with the right equipment, delivered on a just in time (JIT) basis, is clearly something in which we take great pride. We are fortunate to have a team of people on staff willing to go above and beyond standard operations to support firefighters during this unprecedented wildfire season.”
For its part, SmartSource Rentals and its team of experienced Information Technology (IT) technicians, logistics experts and account managers, has been responding with a 24-hour turnaround in an estimated 85 percent of requests for equipment ranging from laptops and iPads to printers, related networking components and customization services.
The technology, all of which is custom-imaged and labeled for the National Wildland Incident Management Teams, includes a plug-and-play product that is used to provide dynamic and responsive planning in terms of updating GIS software to speed up reaction time in order to save lives, structures and acreage.
This product, and other technology provided by SmartSource Rentals, has been deployed across the U.S., from Alaska to Florida, and New York to California. Currently, it is being deployed by multiple National Incident Management Teams directing the firefighting effort across the five Western states of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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