U.S. Police & Fire Championships Announces Presenting Sponsor: Bio-One, Inc.

Name: Bio-One of Charlotte
Brand: Bio-One of Charlotte
Rating: 4.9 (99 reviews)

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.

Bio-One ranked number one in Entrepreneur magazine’s 42nd Annual Franchise 500 for success in crime-scene and trauma-scene cleaning. This marks the fifth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

John and Jennifer Symons

Bio-One

Info@bioonecharlotte.com

704-726-5905

CHARLOTTE FRANCHISE, BIO-ONE, RANKED IN ENTREPRENEUR’S 42nd ANNUAL FRANCHISE 500^®

Charlotte, NC – Bio-One ranked number one in Entrepreneur magazine’s 42^nd Annual Franchise 500 for success in crime-scene and trauma-scene cleaning. This marks the fifth year in a row that Bio-One has been included in the ranking.

Bio-One is locally owned and operated by John and Jen Symons. Since 2018 they have served over 350 community members, businesses and government agencies in the Queen City and upstate South Carolina.

Bio-One provides service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and more.

“The motto of ‘Help First, Business Second’ attracted us to pursue joining the Bio-One family and we’re thrilled to part of a winning team,” said John Symons, owner of Bio-One. “We have cherished each opportunity to truly make a difference in our community.”

The number of Bio-One franchises have increased 145 percent in the last three years with over 100 locations in 41 states.

“We’re honored to be recognized by Entrepreneur,” said Nick-Anthony Zamucen, CEO of Bio-One Inc. “The ranking is a direct reflection of our Bio-One family, strength of our business model, and our ability to consistently deliver care and compassion to our clients.”

Over its 42 years in existence, the Franchise 500® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Bio-One’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

About Bio-One Inc.
Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in 41 states with over 100 locations. Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicide cleanup, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. Each office is independently owned and operated by a member of the local community. For more information about Bio-One, visit us at www.BioOneCharlotte.com.

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BIO-ONE OF CHARLOTTE OFFERS REMEDIATION EXPERTISE FOR CORONAVIRUS

Email: Info@bioonecharlotte.com

Tel: 704.726.5905

Website: bioonecharlotte.com

MEDIA ADVISORY March 11, 2020

Local biohazard & trauma cleanup company provides

CORONAVIRUS remediation expertise

WHO: Bio-One of Charlotte, a local biohazard & trauma cleaning company serving the Queen City and surrounding areas.

WHAT: Owner John Symons is available to discuss the protocol to properly disinfect and disinfect an area in the case of a coronavirus (or other infectious disease) infection ensuring the surroundings are safe, a re-infection does not occur or the disease is spread. He also can discuss the steps necessary to protect against infection.

Bio-One of Charlotte uses hospital-grade chemicals and has experience with disinfecting and disinfecting after infectious diseases, including MRSA, C. DIFF, STAPH, HIV and others.

WHEN: As needed. If your workplace or home has been exposed to someone with this virus, it will need to be properly disinfected.

With the report of the first confirmed case of Coronavirus in Wake County, NC, Bio-One of Charlotte is prepared to assist with the remediation of this infectious disease. After confirmed infection, a space must be professionally disinfected and disinfectd before it can be occupied. Experienced biohazard cleaning technicians know how to disinfect the area, and prevent further contamination and infection. Our teams use the most up-to-date equipment and protocols. Bio-One is certified, licensed and insured.

With Bio-One offices throughout the state, our teams are prepared to assist wherever needed in North Carolina. Offices in Charlotte, Asheville, Winston-Salem and Raleigh are here and ready

Bio-One of Charlotte, locally owned and operated, is a franchise of Bio-One, Inc., a leader in crime scene and biohazard cleanup. Currently, there are Bio-One offices throughout NC, and more than 100 offices nationwide. Bio-One is nationally respected and was called upon to assist in the aftermath of the Mandalay Bay mass shooting in 2017 and the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.

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“Hoarding disorder is defined as a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with a hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.” - mayoclinic.org

We at Bio-One try to keep this in mind when we first arrive at an estimate for a client’s hoarded home. Many people have a hard time understanding how we can enter these homes or even clean them, but for us it’s much deeper. We realize that by taking the step to call us and allow complete strangers into their home, that alone is huge. If we walk in judging or with bad energy, it immediately sets a tone and may lead them to think they have made a bad decision. We always are open minded, compassionate and honestly there for them to share their stories. In most cases some form of trauma has led to their isolation, therefore the hoard began. We don’t claim to be therapist but simply offer a human touch of kindness and empathy.

If you stop to think how much you accumulate over one year, imagine being deathly afraid of letting anything go as you bring in new items. This is how hoarders feel. They tend to associate memories with material things. One of the ways we use to help our client’s part with items is by snapping a photo with their phone. That way they can look back on the photo but do not need to hold onto the actual object. We also try to donate as much as possible. We work with many non-profit organizations such as Beds for Kids who provide beds and essential furniture to children and their families in need. They are a truly inspiring group of people who have done so much for the Charlotte community.

One of the main ways that we differ from other companies is that we offer after care services. Once we come in and help regain your home and offer a fresh start, we don’t want our clients to fall back into their old routines. Thus, offering a service that can be as often as weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly. We partner with a wonderful Organic cleaning company Called Next to Godliness Organic Cleaning . With our client’s consent of course, Next to Godliness will come towards the end of our time at the client’s home and meet with them and talk about next steps. We want our clients to still feel in a safe space with us there and make the transition as easy as possible. During this past year we have been able to offer this service to all of our hoarding clients and have helped so many regain their homes and their lives. Living this way doesn’t have to be forever, and although it may seem daunting to begin a cleanup of such magnitude, I promise we can help. Call us today if you, a friend or a family member could use our services. We offer a judgement free zone and a no obligation estimate. The world is a beautiful place and you deserve to be a part of it.

Written by Jennifer Symons

Bio-One Charlotte

704-726-5905

info@bioonecharlotte.com

Remember me saying (a couple times) that warm weather equals busy season for Bio-One? And do you remember what jobs are more prominent in warmer weather? If not, I will refresh your memory. Decompositions, also known as Undiscovered Deaths, and Hoarding projects are more common and frequent during the warmer weather months. Why is that? What do decompositions and hoarding jobs have in common? Smell. You know how your trash cans smell more in the summer time while they sit in your hot garage or outside- same goes for deaths that go undiscovered for several days and houses that are hoarded (especially the ones with feces and/or rotten food).

The weather in Charlotte has been getting hotter and so has our incoming phone call volume. Last week we, Bio-One Charlotte, had a hoarding/feces clean up job, and two undiscovered death clean ups. This week we have started a week long hoarding job where the home is entirely affected by dog feces and urine- several years worth. Undiscovered deaths are being discovered a bit sooner due to the smell that manifests from a decomposed body. Mold, feces, rotten food, dead rodents, rodent feces, and the list goes on and on with items/bio-hazards found in a hoarded home that cause those awful smells most people cannot handle (or their stomach for that matter). Is it a coincidence that the two most common jobs that come with warmer weather were the jobs we had the past week- probably not.

Does our job sound gross to you? I guess I can understand why, however I do not see it that way. Allownersof Bio-One got into this business to help people despite how cliche that may sound. Who better to need help than a family member who discovered their loved one's death caused damage to their home? Or how about a person yearning for a healthier life and is to the point of desperation to get their home cleared out and cleaned? Hoardersdo not like to call us and have strangers come into their home; they are embarrassed and feeling shame and guilt. But, they do call us and we respect them for wanting to better their lives. We have the fortunate opportunity to help others on a day to day basis- how many people can honestly say that?

Thank you!

Jennifer and John Symons l Owners l Bio-One Charlotte

704.726.5905

13000 South Tryon St.

Suite F-232

Charlotte, NC 28278

Topic: Mental Health Awareness

During the month of May, you will start see green ribbons throughout social media or even out in town. These green ribbons are to help bring awareness to Mental Health during the month of May. Unfortunately, many people are affected by a mental illness and you may not even know it. National Alliance on Mental Illness breaks down some facts and numbers for us.

Prevalence of Mental Illness

· Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. (46.6 million) experiences mental illness in a given year.

· pproximately 1 in 25 adults in the U.S. (11.2 million) experiences a serious mental illness in a given year that substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities.

· Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 (21.4%) experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.

· 1.1% of adults in the U.S. live with schizophrenia.

· 2.6% of adults in the U.S. live with bipolar disorder.

· 6.9% of adults in the U.S.—16 million—had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.

· 18.1% of adults in the U.S. experienced an anxiety disorder such as posttraumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and specific phobias.

· Among the 20.2 million adults in the U.S. who experienced a substance use disorder, 50.5%—10.2 million adults—had a co-occurring mental illness

Consequences of Lack Of Treatment

· Serious mental illness costs America $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.

· Mood disorders, including major depression, dysthymic disorder and bipolar disorder, are the third most common cause of hospitalization in the U.S. for both youth and adults aged 18–44.

· Individuals living with serious mental illness face an increased risk of having chronic medical conditions. Adults in the U.S. living with serious mental illness die on average 25 years earlier than others, largely due to treatable medical conditions.

· Over one-third (37%) of students with a mental health condition age 14–21 and older who are served by special education drop out—the highest dropout rate of any disability group. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S., and the 2nd leading cause of death for people aged 10–34.

· More than 90% of people who die by suicide show symptoms of a mental health condition.

· Each day an estimated 18-22 veterans die by suicide.

If you, or someone you know needs help or just needs to talk please call the NAMI helpline listed below.

800-950-6264

Or, in a crisis? Text NAMI to 741741

John and Jen Symons

704-726-5905

BioOneCharlotte.com

References:

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-By-the-Numbers

The Business of Helping People

Jen Symons – Owner

Category: Behind the Scenes

After the police are gone and the yellow tape has been cut, who is responsible for remediating crime scenes? The job is much more than cleaning up blood, tissue, human waste, or toxic drug residue. Bio-One’s technicians are the unseen force that restore normalcy and stability to the families affected.

Historically, crime scene cleanup has usually been done by the victim's family. For many, facing the ghastly scene of such personal trauma was too much to bear and had lasting effects. In addition, scientific advancements in the 20th century have raised concerns over exposure to bloodborne pathogens and chemical residue. The need for trained technicians has given way to Bio-One being one of the nation’s leading crime scene clean up companies.

John Symons, owner of Bio-One Charlotte says, “We never know what we’re going to walk in to, so we go in with the mindset that we're there to help and we’ll do whatever it takes to get that family and their home back in order. It’s really the only way you can handle the things we see and touch”.

Our work is done in honorable silence and we keep it as discreet as we can. If there were a suicide or homicide in your neighborhood, it’s true that you would want to know. But the details are not for everyone and we certainly want to respect the privacy of such delicate matters for the family members.

This job is not for everyone because the work can be both physically and emotionally taxing. On the other hand, it is one of the most rewarding professions one can do.

There truly are jobs that make us lose our faith in humanity but then when the work is complete, and the family members cannot thank us enough for helping them…. I realize why I personally am in this business and why our employees are so dedicated. Helping people in their greatest time of need is truly a calling for us.

If you ever know anyone who may need our services, OR you are interested in helping others please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Jennifer Symons

Owner Bio-One Charlotte

704-726-5905

Senior Health Fair

First off, we love our city! We live in Rock Hill, SC. It’s a nice size town right over the NC/SC border just South of Charlotte. We have a beautiful downtown, lots of shopping, restaurants, many hard-working families, wonderful schools and most importantly 3 Starbucks and a Target! So naturally when we decided to purchase a Bio-One franchise we wanted to be able to serve our wonderful city along with Charlotte and all of the surrounding counties. Yesterday, we had our first chance to do just that, and it was very rewarding!

John and I had the opportunity to run a table at the Senior Health Fair right here in Rock Hill. We were in great company as there were 37 vendors attending. It was put on by the Rock Hill Parks and Recreation Department. They are fabulous and organize many events all year long to keep the people of Rock Hill informed and involved. We were able to network with many Senior Citizen communities, hospice care providers, in home health care organizations, lawyers, real estate offices and many non-profits that offer Senior services. All of these vendors were intrigued when I told them what we do and that we are not just Crime Scene Cleaners. We offer many services including hoarding remediation, pet odor removal, mold removal and much more! In many situations we get calls from clients who need help with their elderly parents. Their home is in disarray and they may be at the point where moving to an assisted living facility is necessary. So, making these connections with the many senior orientated businesses who attended was wonderful. In return they informed me that many times when their residents come to move into their communities, they still have a home full of items that needs to be taken care of and most times prepared to be sold. That’s where we come in!

It was also wonderful to talk with many local seniors who could benefit from our services. We passed out hand disinfectrs, pens, cell phone business card holders, cards, fliers and hard candy! We had many pleased potential clients leave our table.

All in all, it was a great event and we are honored to be a part of such a wonderful community who doesn’t just “handle” their senior citizens but truly cares about their well being and futures!

Bio-One Inc. Announces New Location in the Charlotte Community

Charlotte, NC October 15^th, 2018 – Bio-One Inc. has announced the opening of its newest franchise, in the Charlotte community. This location will serve the Charlotte area, and surrounding areas, as well as, assist all other franchised locations.

Bio-One Charlotte is owned and operated by Rock Hill residents John and Jennifer Symons. After spending years in the Restoration industry The Symons chose to start Bio-One to become more involved in serving their community and helping families in their greatest time of need. John also spent time as a volunteer firefighter and has seen first hand the devastation that follows a crime, and is honored to be able to help victims families in this way.

"This is quite an honor for us, to have John and Jennifer Symons owning a franchise in the Charlotte area. The fact that we found a local couple who has a passion to help their community, gives us great pride at our corporate offices that we have the right people owning a franchise in Charlotte,” said Jason OBrien, CEO of Bio-One Inc. “Having The Symons aboard signals that our constant efforts towards business and service excellence is paying off. We are proud to include John and Jennifer Symons, and Bio-One Charlotte in our Bio-One family."

For more information on Bio-One Charlotte, please call (704) 726-5905 or visit www.BioOneCharlotte.com

“Bio-One is here to help and serve our community when those are in need”

# # #

About Bio-One Inc.

Bio-One Inc. is the first crime and trauma scene cleaning franchise, operating in 30 States with over 70 locations.Bio-One is committed to providing excellent service in recovery and suicide cleanup, homicides, hoarding situations, junk removal, deceased animal recovery, feces removal, pest and rodent droppings and much more. For more information about Bio-One Inc., visit the Company’s website at www.BioOneInc.com or follow us on Facebookand Twitter.

SOURCE BIO-ONE INC.

CONTACTS:

Bio-One Charlotte

John and Jennifer Symons

(704) 726-5905

info@BioOneCharlotte.com

Bio-One Inc.

Jason OBrien CEO

720-463-3004

Jason@BioOneInc.com

Germs have been rough this year and continue to hit during spring. Reports on the potential dangers of antibiotic-resistant superbugs mingle with discussions of the effectiveness of vaccinations and various other medical interventions. While germs may be too small to be seen with the naked eye, encountering them can have a major impact on your health, and these microscopic menaces can lie in wait on a wide array of common surfaces. How long can germs live on surfaces? And what can you do to protect yourself and your health?

HOW LONG CAN GERMS LIVE ON SURFACES?

When germs are on the prowl, no place is safe. Buses, commuter trains, rental cars, and private vehicles transport both people and virulent germs. Retail establishments, health clubs, educational institutions, restaurants, hotel rooms, and even cruise ship cabins can shelter germs. In fact, practically anything that you touch can expose you to germs, putting your health at risk. According to the National Health Service, the lifespan of a germ varies depending on the type of germ and the surface that it is on. How long can germs live on surfaces? Below we explore a few common examples.

COLD GERMS

The common cold is a frequent source of misery. A variety of viruses can trigger it, and like other viruses, cold germs tend to survive for longer periods on hard, nonporous surfaces like desktops and handrails. On suitable indoor surfaces, cold germs can linger for days, but fortunately they rarely remain infectious for more than 24 hours. Cold viruses can also thrive on the skin, but their survival time there is generally measured in mere minutes or hours.

INFLUENZA GERMS

Viruses that cause influenza can survive in the air as droplets for hours and live on hard surfaces like phones and keyboards for up to 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses clinging to a tissue can last for about 15 minutes, but viruses on the hands tend to fade quickly. Most will be only a minimal threat after five minutes. It may be a small window of time, but influenza germs don’t warn you of their presence and can make you very sick if you’re unlucky enough to encounter them when they’re infectious.

NOROVIRUS GERMS

A highly contagious virus that triggers stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea in those unfortunate enough to catch it, a norovirus can spread through small droplets that travel through the air before settling on surfaces like elevator buttons, table tops, and clothing. While they don’t thrive as successfully on porous materials like tissues and fabrics, noroviruses can survive on hard surfaces for days or weeks if the conditions are favorable.

MRSA GERMS

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, the culprits behind dangerous MRSA infections, are unfazed by many of the antibiotics that are effective in combating other staph infections. Like viruses, these germs tend to survive for shorter periods on porous surfaces than they do on nonporous ones, but they’re capable of living for days or weeks on surfaces if the circumstances are right.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM GERMS

Everyone has seen it. If you’ve worked in restaurants or other public venues, you may even have wielded it: the dreaded wet, grey rag. Habitually passed over tabletops between customers with a few desultorily swipes, it is an obviously inadequate weapon when it comes to eradicating germs. But what is required to disinfect a surface?

DISINFECTING BASICS

If you want to kill the germs lurking on a surface, you need to choose an appropriate disinfectant. You also have to apply it properly. That means saturating the surface with enough of the germ-fighting chemical to get the job done and ensuring that there’s enough contact time (time when the chemical is on the surface) to allow it to eliminate any germs present. Choosing a low-grade disinfectant or skimping on either saturation or contact time can compromise your germ-fighting efforts, so it’s vital that you choose your products carefully and read and follow their directions.