Hydraulic Power to Human Impact: Partnering with Sirens Project to Provide Support, Hope

On May 31, 2013, in a rural part of central Oklahoma, the small town of El Reno didn’t know its name would be tied to a record.

An EF3 tornado, spanning an unprecedented 2.6 miles wide at its peak, had touched down. It’s estimated to have wind speeds topping out at almost 300 mph.

Not only had this record-breaking tornado changed the storm chasing community, but it also changed the trajectory of what Sirens Project has become. 

Sirens Project began as a grassroots effort using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for severe weather research, and has turned into a non-profit dedicated to assisting communities impacted by natural disasters.

In the beginning, the Sirens Project planned to develop a safe and effective way to research supercell thunderstorms with UAVs. The hope was to highlight the UAV industry, gather on-site data, improve forecasts during severe weather, and develop more effective disaster response plans.

“We also have extensive experience tracking and responding to severe weather, which becomes an important skill when operating in deteriorating conditions,” shared Warren, the chief operating officer of Sirens Project, as well as an ISA Certified Arborist/RAQ/EHAP.

However, after seeing firsthand how many communities were devastated by severe weather, Sirens Project shifted its focus from research to relief. “The resilient communities, and the people that make them, have inspired us to play a small part in their recovery,” stated on Sirens Project’s website, sirensproject.org.

“In many cases, we may be among the first people survivors encounter after experiencing a deeply traumatic event,” said Warren. “It is essential that we approach every situation with kindness, compassion, and hope while remaining focused on the work that must be accomplished.”

Sirens Project focuses on technical tree and debris removal, small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) mapping, and critical route clearance.

“While removing trees and clearing roads is the practical work we perform, it is ultimately the means through which we are able to share compassion, support, and love with communities recovering from disaster,” shared Warren.

PUG TRUCK BUILD

As Sirens Project continues to grow, they realized a need for specialized equipment.

The PUG Truck is a purpose-built grapple saw truck that will transform Sirens Project’s disaster response. By having their own grapple saw truck, the team at Sirens Project will be able to respond more quickly and effectively in the areas they work in.

“By building and outfitting our own truck, we are able to engineer and fabricate specialized features that are not typically available in commercially manufactured units,” said Warren. “This allows us to tailor the vehicle specifically to the unique demands of disaster response operations.”

To make the grapple saw truck work, it requires hydraulic system components.

Muncie Power Products provided an A20 Series power take-off with an EX Drive Shaft Extension and an Optimum W Series gear pump to Sirens Project’s PUG Truck build.

“The Sirens Project has a remarkable mission, and we're proud to play a role in helping them achieve it,” said Andrew Dawson, director of product management and marketing at Muncie Power. 

With this truck, Sirens Project will have the greatest impact on immediate route clearing and tree removals involving structures, such as someone’s home.

“From a practical standpoint, this equipment will allow our team to operate more safely and efficiently in disaster environments. More importantly, it means more families will experience hope, relief, and restoration during some of the most difficult moments of their lives,” said Warren.

By combining safety, efficiency, and precision in one truck, the team will transform its disaster response capabilities. The PUG Truck is compact and highly maneuverable, which will allow the Sirens Project team to access constricted areas more easily than larger equipment, as well as track and respond to storms.

“Muncie [Power]’s generous contribution to this project not only greatly benefits our organization, but also honors the individuals and supporters who invest financially in our mission, and ultimately the families we have the privilege of serving in the field,” said Warren. “This vision and project would not be possible without Muncie [Power]’s support.”

Andrew emphasized that Muncie Power recognizes the crucial role its equipment plays and the people who rely on it. Supporting organizations that serve communities in times of need reflects its core values and showcases how its products can make a meaningful impact beyond the jobsite.

“When natural disasters occur, access to roads, neighborhoods, and critical infrastructure can be severely impacted,” said Andrew. “Their ability to respond quickly, remove hazardous trees and debris, and help restore access plays a vital role in the recovery process. Supporting a mission that directly helps communities get back on their feet made this an easy decision for us.”

It’s vital to have reliable hydraulic power, especially when working in disaster zones. As Warren shared, it can be difficult to come by replacement parts or resources for repairs.

“The fewer potential points of failure within our equipment, the more families we are able to serve and the greater the margin of safety for our volunteer crews. We are confident that Muncie Power Products will help keep our equipment reliable and operational in some of the most demanding environments we encounter.”

To safely remove the hazardous limbs, the team had to use a manlift because traditional climbing methods would have led to unnecessary risk. In this situation, being able to use a remotely operated grapple saw truck would have a significant impact on both safety and operational efficiency.

“Recovery is a team effort, and we're honored to be one small part of that process. We commend the Sirens Project for its dedication to helping communities when they need it most,” said Andrew.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

Sirens Project serves various communities, primarily in the Southeast region, which includes Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

Oftentimes, these communities, as Warren shared, are “low-income, uninsured, underserved, or often forgotten.”

“These communities deserve access to the same safe, efficient, and advanced tree removal methods available to more prosperous areas,” said Warren.

The harsh reality is that many families often do not have the means, whether it is financial or resources, to remove hazardous trees to rebuild their lives after a severe weather event. Sometimes, this could mean delaying regaining access to their home and personal belongings.

“Muncie [Power]’s partnership with our organization, to help build a specialized grapple saw truck, will allow communities across the country to receive safer and more efficient disaster response at no cost,” said Warren.

As Andrew shared, Muncie Power hopes this partnership with Sirens Project continues to help it expand its reach and provide essential support to communities recovering from severe weather events.

“If our products can help keep their equipment operating efficiently and safely, then we're helping make a positive impact far beyond the truck itself,” said Andrew. “We are honored to support their work by providing hydraulic components that power the equipment they rely on in the field.”

In several ways, the hydraulic components on the PUG Truck are only a small part of a bigger mission to serve people and communities when they need it most.

“While removing trees and clearing roads is the practical work we perform, it is ultimately the means through which we are able to share compassion, support, and love with communities recovering from disaster,” shared Warren.

“Often, the most meaningful moments occur after the work itself has been completed.”