Local corp. releases emergency shelter

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - As recovery efforts on the East Coast get underway, a Lafayette-based corporation introduces a new, foldable mobile emergency shelter.

The 16-by-8 foot shelter can be set up in 15 minutes, and it's equipped to be used as a temporary living space for days.

"It actually has a roof-mounted air conditioning," President and CEO of Wabash National Dick Giromini said.

The configuration may not look like much from the outside, but step inside and it's a whole lot more than what looks like just a white box.

"We've got cots for four people built into this that are foldable to the walls," Giromini said.

This week Wabash National introduced what's called the "DuraPlate Foldable Mobile Shelter" at the National Emergency Management Expo in Orlando.

Giromini said ironically the mobile shelter is being introduced just as recovery efforts from Hurricane Sandy get underway.

However, he said the idea for this particular mobile shelter came several years back.

"We were inspired actually by Hurricane Katrina and some of the challenges that the folks faced during that crisis," Giromini said.

The unit can be used as a multi-purpose solution for everything from mobile offices to even temporary living quarters.

"We have a table and chairs that people can work at," Giromini explained. "We have cabinets installed and available so that families have so they can store their clothing and other goods and also counter tops to prepare meals. It's even set up with a refrigerator and microwave."

But he said whatever this product is used for, they're ready to start producing.

"We certainly are ready to be able to build and deploy units as necessary to help support those who have been left without their homes for a period of time and see if we can step in and help," Giromini added.

As of now, the product is not yet on the market.