DUNCAN -- During a disaster, the last things crisis response teams need are vehicles that can't run because of bad tires or other problems.

TCI Tire Centers LLC and its parent company, Michelin North America, unveiled their answer to that need Monday -- a $500,000 disaster response service unit to be used in areas hit by natural disasters.

"Michelin does not sit on the sidelines when our communities or our customers are in need," said Jim Micali, chairman and president of Michelin North America. The mobile center "makes it easier for us to do what we do best -- roll up our sleeves and put Michelin expertise to work to help solve the crisis at hand."

Joe Finney, chief executive officer of TCI, said, "We learned a lot from the Katrina experience. We had a lot of centers down. We had a number of employees that really wanted to help their communities. I was really touched."

After Katrina, "We said, 'There must be a better way to do this,'" he said.

Several TCI centers lost power in the hurricane and its aftermath. It was difficult to help utility trucks or other rescue vehicles keep running when tires were damaged from driving over rubble, he said. When employees from elsewhere came to help, he said, no motel rooms were available.

The 53-foot trailer, built by High Tech Performance Trailers in Ohio, is a fully equipped tire center on wheels, said Dave Carson, TCI senior director of commercial operations. It has six air stations and a fully functional satellite communication equipment center. It also can sleep up to six people and has a small kitchen. It also will serve as a self-contained command center for volunteers as well.

Brad Snyder, vice president, commercial operations for TCI, said that TCI worked with the manufacturer, which also makes Michelin's race trailers, to design the unit, which includes plenty of storage for tools.

Although the center will concentrate on keeping emergency response vehicles running, TCI officials said it also could help residents who need help with their vehicle tires.

Stationed at the TCI Tire Center Atlanta-Ellenwood, the mobile unit "can be deployed on a moment's notice," Finney said. In addition, six "hot-shot" support vehicles are available to go out to remote locations. The unit could be go to TCI sites where facilities are being remodeled if it's not needed for a disaster response.

Carson said Michelin and TCI have worked primarily with the utility companies to ensure the mobile center will do what is needed.

Randy Gaetz, vice president of commercial sales and marketing for TCI, said the TCI-Michelin disaster response unit is thought to be the first of its kind.

TCI is based in Duncan.