They say it’s not wise to bring a knife to a gunfight, and it’s also not smart to bring a Dirt Devil to a disaster cleanup. 

Being inadequately prepared and equipped for a job is frustrating for employees and for those who hired you. It’s not uncommon for disasters to leave behind a trail of debris, hazardous materials and contaminated environments that pose significant health and environmental risks. 

Vacuum trucks' ability to swiftly remove debris, sludge and hazardous substances from affected areas make them the right tool for disaster recovery efforts. Their versatility in handling a range of applications can open new avenues of work or expand your current offerings. 

Debris Removal: From fallen trees and building materials, to sediment and trash, vacuum trucks equipped with high-powered suction can quickly remove large volumes of debris, expediting the restoration of essential services and infrastructure.

Hazardous Material Cleanup: Many disasters release hazardous materials into the environment, posing serious health and safety risks. Vacuum trucks with specialized filtration and containment systems are capable of safely extracting hazardous liquids and solids, preventing further contamination of soil and water sources.

Contaminated Water Management: Flooding can lead to the contamination of water sources with pollutants, chemicals and sewage. Vacuum trucks equipped with water pumping capabilities can extract contaminated water, preventing the spread of diseases and minimizing environmental damage.

Sediment and Sludge Removal: Along with water contamination, floodwaters often leave behind layers of sediment and sludge, which can obstruct drainage systems and exacerbate flooding risks. Vacuum trucks can efficiently remove sediment and sludge, restoring proper drainage, reducing the likelihood of future disasters.

When it comes to options, there’s a lot out there. Check out a few here and see what fits your business needs. 

Vac-Con Titan 3-Yard

This non-CDL version of Vac-Con’s Titan line weighs under 26,000 pounds with full freshwater capacity creating an option for smaller organizations who don’t have CDL drivers on standby. It features 3-yards of usable capacity in the debris tank and according to Vac-Con, a simple operating system designed for all skill levels. The blower vacuum system can produce up to 2,100 cfm and 16 inches of Hg. The truck measures under 11.5 feet tall and 28 feet in length. www.vac-con.com 

Guzzler Guzzcavator

The Guzzcavator combines an industrial vacuum loader and hydroexcavator into one unit allowing it to serve a wide range of applications. The unit has a 1,300-gallon stainless steel water tank and the multi-flow pump allows water pressure adjustments up to 200 gpm at 2,500 psi. Available with 16- or 18-cubic-yard capacity for debris, Guzzcavators feature a vacuum capable of 27 inches of Hg and a maximum airflow range of 5,250 cfm. A filtration system within the debris tank is designed to separate material during vacuum operations using sixty 70-inch Dacron filter bags for wet/dry industrial cleaning. www.guzzler.com 

Super Products Mud Dog 700

Mud Dog 700 vacuum excavators from Super Products are designed for operator convenience and consistent performance to meet the challenges of compact, urban projects to large-scale excavation. They offer a compact footprint for excavation in urban environments while maximizing payload and are designed to maintain the power and precision of larger units. The unit features a 7-yard debris body and 600-gallon water tank. It is equipped with a rear-mounted, extendable, 8-inch-diameter boom that reaches 18 feet, has 270-degree rotation and pivots 10 degrees downward to minimize job site restoration and traffic congestion near roads. www.superproducts.com 

TRUVAC APXX

TRUVAC built the APXX vacuum excavator to operate in rugged climates and environments. Capable of hydroexcavation and air excavation, it can handle cleanup of flood water and any non-hazardous liquid. It features a 5,250 cfm blower and a vacuum rating of 27 inches of Hg. The standard water pump is capable of 3,000 psi and 10 gpm, with a 20 gpm option available. The APXX has a standard debris tank capacity of 12 cubic yards and a 22-foot extendable boom. The truck measures 34-feet long, just over 8.5-feet wide and approximately 13-feet tall. Total weight when empty is roughly 46,320 lbs. www.truvac.com 

Vermeer XR2 

The XR2 vacuum excavator is built to separate liquids and solids using a built-in shaker deck. Material excavated is fed through an onboard deceleration tank that exits through an airlock onto the shaker deck. The solid material is moved to the rear of the machine for discharging and the slurry water is pumped into storage tanks. Maximum water capacity is 1,500 gallons and max slurry capacity is 1,300 gallons. The XR2’s vacuum system can produce 3,400 cfm of force and 18 inches of Hg. The water system has a maximum flow of 10 gpm and a pressure rating up to 3,000 psi. www.vermeer.com