Mobile Catastrophe Center Visits Fort Lee Fire Department

Farmers Insurance rolled its Mobile Catastrophe Claims (MCC) bus into the parking lot of Fire Company No. 3 in Fort Lee Thursday morning as part of its eight-city tour of the east coast.

According to Randy Glenn, a driver of the MCC and one of the heads of the Disaster Response Team, Farmers developed the MCC bus in response to Hurricane Katrina.

"Farmers executives saw the devastation that their policy holders were experiencing and made a commitment to find a solution that would make weather disasters less stressful," Glenn said. "That's how these buses came about."

The MCC is one of three buses that are deployed to disaster sites throughout the United States to help customers and non-customers alike.

"We like to visit firehouses because during times of disaster, we work closely with the fire services," Jerry Davies, Farmers Insurance Assistant V.P. said.

The vehicle, less bus than catastrophe response mobile unit, has been instrumental in helping restore disaster-struck communities across the country.

Equipped with satellites, computers, televisions, a live Doppler feed, iPhones, and a 30K generator, the MCC is equipped to go into communities where there has been a major disaster.

According to Glenn, the bus is designed to allow places without power to wirelessly connect, including police and fire departments.

The MCC Unit is also equipped to prepare 1500 meals three times a day, and is equipped with external showers as well. As Davies said, "Being able to eat and shower when you've lost everything can bring an enormous measure of comfort to families."

Glenn said that for Farmers policy holders, checks and debit cards can be issued right from the MCC which, during a time of crises, can bring comfort to people.

Farmers Insurance is also hiring for its east coast offices located in Cherry Hill and Parsipanny. If you are interested in learning about employment opportunities with Farmers Insurance click here.