The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is proud to announce that the 2021 United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are now Presented by Bio-One, Inc.
Operating under the motto, "Help First, Business Second," Bio-One provides high-level decontamination and biohazard cleanup services while offering clients the privacy and compassion needed at difficult times. Bio-One operates in 41 states with over 110 locations and is committed to providing first-class service.
"We are thrilled to add Bio-One as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2021 USPFC because First Responders warrant our support," said California Police Athletic Federation President LC Collins. "Bio-One’s reputation is second to none, and with their partnership, we can offer first responders a health and wellness outlet. We look forward to working with them for years to come."
Founded by San Diego Police Lieutenant Veon "Duke" Nyhus, The United States Police & Fire Championships were first held in San Diego in 1967. Duke recognized the need to promote physical fitness and camaraderie among the Public Safety and First Responder community members.
The USPFC caters to active and retired public safety and first responders who participate in Olympic-style competitions and open to individuals representing firefighters, law enforcement, and officers from corrections, probation, border protection, immigration, and customs across the country. Traditionally athletes compete in 45+ sporting events from biathlon to motocross across 35+ venues in Southern California.
"At Bio-One our support for Law Enforcement and Fire Service Officers is unwavering, and we're thrilled to partner with the California Police Athletic Federation during this memorable event," said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, founder of Bio-One. "We wish each athlete success and look forward to celebrating these everyday heroes."
The 2021 USPFC Presented by Bio-One will take place from June 10th to the 19th in venues across San Diego, California, and strengthen the relationship between First Responders and the community for many years to come!
About the United States Police and Fire Championships
The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) is the parent organization of two multi-sport programs designed for peace officers and firefighters. The World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) are open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) are open to active or retired public safety and first responder personnel from an eligible agency within the USA. For more information, please visit www.uspfc.org.
Spring cleaning is commonly associated with refreshing your home for warm weather ahead. While common activities include dusting, mopping floors, and removing clutter, Bio-One also sees an increase in hoarding remediation.
Maybe you’ve discovered a loved one is living in a hoarding situation and you want to help. Or you’ve inherited an estate and a trash or animal hoard was revealed. Perhaps, you are living in a hoarding situation and have decided it’s time for help.
No matter the circumstances, Bio-One provides care and compassion, and can customize a unique plan to meet your needs.
Here are just a few of the many Indianapolis community members we’ve had the pleasure to help.
After years of accumulating clothing, this elderly woman's home had been overtaken and she could not safely move throughout the house. Overwhelmed by the enormous task of getting the home back to a safe condition, her children reached out to Bio-One. In two days, our team removed approximately 14,000 pounds of clothes.
The homeowner was able to come back to a safe space, and her family has some peace of mind knowing their mother/grandmother is safe in her own home!
This beautiful house needed some TLC after the homeowner became physically unable to properly take care of it. Her daughter realized the extent of the situation within the home and called Bio-One to help.
Because of the unique circumstances surrounding this job, our team went above and beyond to clean this home up as quickly as possible. We were so happy to help take this burden off our client and her mother.
Sadly, this house was in far worse condition than the above pictures depict. This homeowner's friend called us when she realized the unhealthy and unsafe conditions of her friend's home. The homeowner had to clean out the home, or she would not be able to continue to live there. After cleaning out the debris and disinfecting the home, we were able to refer some wonderful contractors to help complete this home's transformation from top to bottom.
This home ended up getting new flooring, new paint, some new appliances, and all of its minor issues were able to be repaired as well. The homeowner was able to come home to a safe, clean environment, and Bio-One was honored to help her get this fresh start!
If you or a loved one could use some help with spring cleaning, contact Sarah at Bio-One!
"Help First, Business Second"
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
If buying or selling a home in Indiana is in your future, you're likely well versed in the entire process from the initial offer to closing. But are you aware that disclosing a death in the home may be required? Here's what you need to know.
Property Disclosure Documents
No matter how perfect a house looks on the outside, there is often property information a buyer needs to disclose before the sale can go through. Property disclosure documents reveal known structural issues, neighborhood nuisances, hazards, HOA details, water damage, notable repairs made to the home and death in the home.
Rules for reporting a death in the home vary by state, and variations in rules may include:
So what are the rules in Indiana? Here are the details:
In the state of Indiana, you do not have to disclose a death that occurred in a home.
Psychologically affected property is the term used to describe a home that is for sale, rent, or lease where one of the following occurred, or is reasonably assumed to have occurred:
For a state by state guide on disclosure laws we recommend visiting this resource on Nolo.com.
Remediating After a Death in a Home
If a death recently occurred in the home you're hoping to purchase, there may have been biohazards from bloodborne pathogens that required remediation. Consider asking the seller how the death was remediated to ensure proper steps were taken. Remediation processes may vary depending on the location of the death, how the death occurred, types of flooring, and if the death was undiscovered for days or weeks.
Bio-One technicians are trained and equipped to properly disinfect biohazards from bloodborne pathogens, and we ensure safe biohazard material handling and disposal. Once the entire area is cleaned of blood and body fluids, we also help property owners restore the location to its pre-incident state.
If you are selling a home and need a biohazard remediated or want to ensure remediation was done correctly, give Bio-One a call at 317-499-0614. Our experts not only contain and disinfect the dangerous biological materials, we carry out our work in a caring and private manner.
"Help First, Business Second"
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
Dirty Jobs with Bio-One
Cleaning Up After Unwelcome Pests
MARCH 8, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
At Bio-One, we see it all. We help our community in times of tragedy with our crime and trauma cleanup services. We help those struggling with mental health clean up their hoarded homes so they can get on the path to wellness. But those are just a couple of our services.
Bio-One is trained, certified, and licensed to remove and remediate all types of biohazards. Biohazards present in various forms and often times, animals can be the biggest culprits. Cleaning up after our own pets can be a gross job, but cleaning up after unwanted pests, like rodents and raccoons, should be left to the professionals.
Animals can be infected with parasites, diseases, and viruses that are incredibly dangerous to humans and other animals. When an animal leaves behind waste, it leaves behind the danger of anything it may be infected with. Animal waste must be decontaminated and disposed of properly. After an unwelcome critter has contaminated a space with feces or urine, proper disinfection is necessary to ensure the safety of those who may enter the area.
Bio-One can remove, decontaminate, and disinfect your space after unwelcome pests have left a mess. We have remediated the aftermath of raccoons in attics, birds in a barn, opossums in a crawl space, and rodents throughout entire homes.
No matter what type of animal or pest has caused you headache, Bio-One is happy to help remediate the area to restore your home or property to a safe and healthy environment!
To learn more about how we can help with animal biohazard cleanup, contact Sarah at Bio-One.
"Help First, Business Second"
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
When Tragedy Happens, Who Pays for the Cleanup?
Covering the Costs of Crime & Trauma
FEB 25, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
We have addressed a lot of common questions regarding what we do and why we do it. We have focused on information about the general nature of our job, but we tend to forget the questions that our clients often have.
The biggest question: Who pays for crime and trauma cleanup services?
One thing that most people are surprised to learn is that there is no government agency or entity that helps families with the physical aftermath of a tragedy. Law enforcement does not have a “janitorial unit” that swoops in to help. If you are anything like me, you’re probably shocked by this information.
Crime and trauma cleanup is a private sector industry. Outside of OSHA, there is no government agency involved in our services. Sometimes, this can be unfortunate for our clients because this means they are responsible for payment.
In cases of crime and trauma, if it occurs in a home, homeowners’ insurance will typically cover the cost of our services, minus the insured’s deductible. If a situation occurs in a rental property, property management will typically contact us and handle the responsibility of payment. This may not be the case in all situations that occur in a rental property.
What about incidents that occur in vehicles?
If a vehicle has biohazard in it, automotive technicians will not work on it (and rightfully so, because it can be incredibly dangerous). With vehicles, there are a lot of factors that may affect who pays. If a car or driver is insured, the insurance company may determine whether the car gets cleaned or not, and they may or may not cover the costs associated with the cleanup. Depending on the type of incident, the owner (or the estate) may be solely responsible for payment.
Who pays for hoarding cleanup?
Hoarding cases are always private pay. Insurance companies view hoarding as “neglect,” therefore they will not cover the costs associated with cleaning up a hoarded home.
Bio-One’s mission statement is “Help First, Business Second,” and we stand by that whole-heartedly. We understand that the affects of a sudden tragedy can be very costly, without even including the costs of our services. We want people to be aware that there is help available to those who are going through traumatic situations. Many organizations help victims of crime, as well as families affected by crime. If you or a loved one is struggling to cover expenses incurred by a crime, the links listed below are a great place to start.
· Indiana Criminal Justice Institute: Indiana Violent Crime Victim Compensation Fund
· Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA)
For more information about locating applications for victim assistance funds, contact Sarah at Bio-One.
Bio-One
“Help First, Business Second”
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
info@bioonemarioncounty.com
sarah@bioonemarioncounty.com
Self-Care Isn't Selfish
Help Yourself to Help Others
FEB. 17, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
At Bio-One, as you can imagine, we see a lot of tragic and shocking situations. Yes, it is our job to handle these scenes with the utmost professionalism, but that doesn’t mean we are somehow immune to the “human” side of our business. Bio-One is a compassionate company with one main goal: helping others. We have learned that taking care of ourselves is the best way we can be prepared to help those who need us.
We hear it preached to us all the time, nowadays: self-care, self-care, self-care. We see everyone on social media showing us their self-care routines, from bubble baths to workouts to hobbies. It may not seem important when it’s coming from an influencer on TikTok, but the message is clear: make yourself and your wellbeing a priority.
At Bio-One, we take self-care seriously because we understand that before we can help anyone else, we must first help ourselves. “Helping” yourself does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, it is unique to every person and their own goals.
For us, no matter what scene we respond to, we must be in a stable place mentally, physically, and emotionally. Because of that, we take steps to ensure that we are prepared for any situation we walk into.
Personally, self-care looks like a quiet, calm space in my home, with limited distractions, where I can read a book or work on a puzzle. Typically, there is a cup of coffee involved as well. Sometimes my self-care is as simple as setting aside time to organize goings-on in my personal life so that when I am at work I can focus on helping and serving my community.
As a team, we also work on self-care together. One of our franchise owners, Roxana, is a huge advocate for self-care. She focuses a lot on physical fitness, and how it plays a huge role in both our mental and physical health. She is consistently checking in with all of us on the team, especially after physically and emotionally-demanding scenes. As a leader, she helps set the tone for how important self-care is, especially in our unique line of work.
No matter what it looks like, make self-care a priority.
What does self-care look like to you? Feel free to share your routines or suggestions with us! We deal with a lot of negative circumstances, so we are always happy to hear the positives.
Bio-One
“Help First, Business Second”
24/7/365
(317) 499-6014
info@bioonemarioncounty.com
sarah@bioonemarioncounty.com
Victim Advocacy
Domestic Violence in Our Communities
JAN. 28, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
At Bio-One, we know there are heartbreaking statistics regarding violent crime all across the board. We see the aftereffects firsthand at traumatic scenes, but there are innumerable crimes committed every single day that never get called into 911.
Domestic violence is a crime that leaves lasting impacts that often go unseen, and countless victims’ voices go unheard.
Continuing in our journey with victim advocacy and our training with Families First Indiana, we recently learned about domestic violence and the challenges its victims face outside of the crime itself. Below are some statistics that highlight the devastating effects that domestic violence has on the people in our communities.
· Nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner (in one year, that equals more than 10 million victims)
· 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking
· On average, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive over 20,000 daily calls
· In 2018, partner violence accounted for 20% of all violent crime
· On average, it takes a domestic violence victim 7 times to leave before staying away for good
· Female victims sustain injuries 3x more often than male victims
These statistics and more information can be found at NCADV.org. NCADV is the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, there is help available. Below are national resources, as well as an Indiana-specific resource.
· National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800.799.SAFE (7233), hotline.org
· BTSADV (Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence) Helpline: 855.287.1777, breakthesilencedv.org
· ICADV (Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence): 800.322.7385, icadvinc.org
For more information on how to get involved with your community, contact Sarah at Bio-One.
(317) 499-0614
24/7/365
Victim Advocacy
A Closer Look at Sexual Assault
JAN 20, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
At Bio-One, we see the unfortunate aftermath of traumatic crimes, but not every crime has a chaotic scene left behind to remediate. Whether we respond to the scene or not, we are always looking for ways to help victims in our community.
Two of our team members at Bio-One have recently partnered with an organization called Families First Indiana. Families First helps community members with a vast array of services, including victim advocacy. Volunteering with Families First Indiana, we are currently training to become victim advocates. As we go through this journey, we are going to share some of what we learn.
As advocates, we will work with members of the Indianapolis community who have been victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, or trauma. We will be available to assist victims with emotional support as well as helping them find additional resources for continued support. In cases of sexual assault, if requested by the victim, we will go to the hospital and support them as they undergo what is commonly referred to as a “rape kit.”
We have learned some alarming information and statistics regarding sexual assault. To bring some light to these grossly underreported crimes, we would like to share a few statistics. Again, this information may be shocking, but we feel the best way to help in any situation is by dealing with the truth, no matter how ugly it may be.
All of the statistics below can be found at RAINN.org. “RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the country’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE, hotline.rainn.org).” (cite, RAINN.org)
· Every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted (this includes men and women)
· 1 out of every 6 women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime
· 1 out of every 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime
· 9 out of every 10 victims of rape are female
· 55% of sexual assaults occur at or near the victim’s home
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, there is help and support available. Contact Sarah at sarah@bioonemarioncounty.com or Roxana at info@bioonemarioncounty.com for more information about how to support victims in your community.
Working in Crime & Trauma Cleanup
It's Not For Everyone
DEC. 12, 2021 by SARAH WADSWORTH
Crime and trauma cleanup is a niche industry that many are entirely unaware of. We find that a lot of folks are genuinely curious about and interested in our line of work and may even think it could be a job fit for them.
What we deal with on a scene is not displayed in shows like “CSI” and “Law & Order.” As interesting as it may seem, crime and trauma cleanup is not for everyone. Being a biohazard technician can be a rewarding line of work, but equally challenging.
If you think this line of work may be something for you, here are a few things to consider first:
· How strong is your stomach? We respond to heartbreaking scenes, and unfortunately, many times blood is not the only thing left behind. If you don’t do well with odors or biohazards outside of blood, go ahead and count yourself out.
· Do you have strong communication and people skills? Working with individuals who are dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy requires a high level of communication awareness that goes far beyond basic customer service.
· Can you keep a level head and maintain awareness in emotionally heightened situations?
We have to pay close attention to ensure that we safely remove all biohazard at the scene, and that requires a lot of mental focus and awareness. Usually, loved ones do not stay at the scene while we work, but we always have to be prepared to communicate effectively and respectfully no matter the emotional state of those dealing with the aftermath of a tragedy.
· After witnessing a tragic scene, will you be able to “leave work at work?” Crime and trauma cleanup is mentally and emotionally taxing. We see devastating circumstances regularly, and we cannot allow those traumatic scenes to follow us home at the end of the day. If you are prone to anxiety, depression, or emotional instability, this may not be the job for you.
Although crime and trauma scene cleanup may sound fascinating, it is certainly not your average “day job.” If you do believe that this might be a good fit for you, feel free to contact Sarah at Bio-One Marion County.
(317) 499-0614
Crime & Trauma Scene Cleanup FAQ
JAN 05, 2020 by SARAH WADSWORTH
At Bio-One, we handle all types of extreme cleaning, and that includes the aftermath left behind at crime scenes. We get a lot of questions regarding our role at scenes, so we would love to answer those!
Q: If the scene involves a death, is the body still present when you arrive?
A: No. In cases involving death, the coroner will take the body.
Q: Is Bio-One responsible for collecting any type of evidence?
A: No. Law enforcement must release the scene before we are allowed to start our process. There are occasions in which we will find shell casings, bullets, or other items that crime scene technicians might have missed. In that case, those items are handed off to law enforcement.
Q: What are the first steps in the process of recovering/cleaning a crime scene?
A: First and foremost, we always don PPE (personal protective equipment). Once we are in proper attire, we assess the scene and document everything, which includes lots of photos. Photos are incredibly important, especially when dealing with insurance.
Q: What type of PPE is necessary for this type of work?
A: When dealing with any type of biohazard, full PPE is required. “Full PPE” includes a hazmat suit, gloves, shoe covers, and respirators. Depending on the scene, we will use either an N95 mask, a half- face respirator, or a full-face respirator.
Q: Do family members or loved ones stay at the scene while you work?
A: Typically, no. After such a traumatic experience, seeing the cleanup process can further compound that trauma. At Bio-One, our goal is to help people start the healing process, and that begins with a home that is free of reminders of what occurred.
If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to Sarah at sarah@bioonemarioncounty.com
