Welcome to the CE News CivilSource issue, our annual directory of products and services and various industry resources. In addition to listings of manufactures, software developers, and specialty service providers, you’ll find civil engineering events and associations listed. Also, we present the results of a reader survey to reveal the state of the civil engineering industry.

The survey was short and to the point, as was the message: The civil engineering community continues to be challenged by the economy. Learn what your peers are sensing about their profession, their businesses, and the markets they serve on page 8.

Despite the hardships faced in this economy, I’m proud to say that civil engineers aren’t the type to stand by when their services are needed. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) reports that 1,000 civil engineers have signed up to volunteer in Haiti using the Society’s Disaster Assistance Volunteer Directory. This directory is shared with qualified groups and agencies that are part of on-the-ground volunteer efforts.

If you would like to help, besides contacting the ASCE to volunteer, here are some other resources, as reported by Engineers Without Borders-USA’s website:

There is an immediate and dire need for French- or Creole-speaking civil or structural engineers. Contact helphaiti@aidg.org with your resume if you are French speaking and would be able to perform building inspections to determine structural stability.

Haitivoices.com is a recently launched site that shares different aid organization’s needs, capabilities, and resources to improve response and coordination in real time.

There are specific needs for engineers to volunteer in Haiti with Habitat for Humanity. Go to www.ewb-usa.org/haiti.php to learn more.

The ASCE provides some great advice about volunteering: “Above all, don’t go on your own. To qualify for future relief efforts, take a disaster management course such as those offered by ASCE’s Committee on Critical Infrastructure, register with FEMA or your local Red Cross, and volunteer to help following floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters that occur each year.” Perhaps this most recent disaster will be an impetus for many civil engineers to prepare themselves for future volunteer activities.

Scott Powell, P.E., who recently returned from a three-week-long visit to Haiti as the leader of Engineering Ministries International’s disaster response program, reflected on his work there: “I can tell you that, in my past experiences with Haiti, it has seemed a very hopeless place indeed, mired in physical, emotional, spiritual, and environmental poverty. But when I was there in January, things felt very different. I think the Haitian people have been humbled by the magnitude of this event. They are keenly receptive to change in a unique way now, and I think that, coupled with the unprecedented focus of the world’s attention now on Haiti, there is truly some hope for their swift recovery and an enduring development. That’s my prayer, at least.” It’s mine too.

In lieu of volunteering, donations are equally desired. As of press time, the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund had received more than $32 million by people texting “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 donation! Again, for a country in recession, we’re doing a great job in responding to this humanitarian need.

To keep abreast of engineering-related relief efforts and volunteer opportunities, as well as the personal accounts of our peers’ visits to Haiti, CE News and its sister publications have created an online resource center; go to http://tinyurl.com/HaitiReliefCE.

Shanon Fauerbach, P.E.,

sfauerbach@stagnitomedia.com