Emergency Ready Plan

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

No One Plans for a Disaster, but you can Prepare for it!

Disasters and emergencies often strike without warning.  Planning for disasters is critically important to your communities and companies.  By compiling a comprehensive information resource – an Emergency READY Plan – you are letting your constituents know you care enough to plan for their well-being.  In any size disaster, speed matters.  A prompt response makes the homeowners and employees feel cared for.  A fast response can also save resources and can minimize interruption and associated lost work days.  It can also save thousands of dollars in reduced secondary damage.

For these reasons, SERVPRO began a National partnership in 2013 with the American Red Cross as the largest corporate sponsor for the Ready Rating Program.  This program encourages families and businesses to prepare ahead of time for disasters.   To facilitate readiness, the American Red Cross and SERVPRO developed the Emergency READY Profile (ERP), a free APP that anyone, including community associations, can use to prepare their personalized plan.

The ERP helps you compile all the necessary information that the American Red Cross and SERVPRO have learned is vital in case of an emergency.  The ERP is completely customizable to suit a family or an entire community.   It identifies local emergency contact information such as fire, police and hospital contacts.  It has local utility contact information, with a detailed description of utility shut off locations.  Free physical shut-off tags are also available through SERVPRO to make recognition easier.  Additionally, a photo can be uploaded of each utility location, providing a visual aide for quick reference. 

The ERP also identifies the company’s name, title, phone number and email of all primary contacts needed to begin cleanup and restoration, including maintenance contacts and property manager information.  Other contacts can be added such as a preferred electrician, flooring company, HVAC contractor or plumber.  There is a section in the ERP for insurance contact information, whether it be for the structural areas or contents.  You can also list the carrier, broker and policy number for quick reference in the event of an emergency.

The ERP also provides a property overview portion that is a one-page snapshot of your business, community or home.  It provides the address, a photo and directions to your location.  It includes the total square footage, the year the property was built and if there are any hazardous materials onsite.  Building access information is also included to accelerate a smooth response to any disaster.

By developing an ERP and having an immediate plan of action, you can help minimize the amount of time your business, home or community is incapacitated.  Knowing what to do, who to call and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation.  Timely mitigation minimizes the effects of water and fire damage allowing your property and business to be restored at an advanced rate, lessening downtime. 

The ERP is a no cost assessment of your facility.  If you don’t already have an emergency plan for your home or community, the SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile will help you gather critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services.  This is a great value at no cost.  It was purposely designed to contain only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.  Having a quick reference provides solutions in advance of an emergency, so that during the emergency you are "ready for whatever happens."

Once all the information is captured, it can be printed, viewed on a smartphone and shared electronically. Your complete ERP will also include weather alert information, disaster preparedness tips and mitigation tips on what to do until help arrives. 

The free APP is available on iPhone and Android under SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan.

Ronda Henry, Business Development Specialist, SERVPRO of Palm Desert

Ronda Henry is available to help home owners and businesses prepare their ERP.  She has been with SERVPRO of Palm Desert for four years. After extensive training in the front office, Ronda is now part of the sales and marketing team.  Ronda enjoys helping her clients learn more about SERVPRO and preparing for emergencies.   Ronda can be reached at 760-851-4640 (Cell) or by email at ronda@SERVPROpalmdesert.com.