Restoring Success: Preparing for CAT Loss Response

In the words of Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

It has been two years ago since I wrote “What the CAT Just Happened“, which gave insights and tips to prepare for disaster. This was written immediately after the Polar Vortex of 2014 that went beyond a regional disaster to a national disaster, hitting areas all over the country.
 
Most of us who are in the restoration and disaster/emergency response business have our stories. There was the time I ordered in a tractor trailer of rental equipment to prepare for hurricane Sandy; 99% chance of hitting the area that I served, and then I woke up to sunshine and blue skies. Sandy took a slight turn that took the hurricane almost exactly around the outside of our service area.
 
Then, there was the time that I went into my office for a phone call, shut the door, and emerged from my office 20 minutes later to a full Catastrophe Response Operation. An extremely harsh hail storm hit our area leaving a trail of mass destruction. The hail storm that took a little county in Pennsylvania by surprise made national news in May 2014.
 
In the world of restoration, preparing for disaster is really about always being ready for disaster. Sometimes you know it is coming or you think it is coming, and sometimes it takes you by surprise. Regardless of the type and magnitude, disasters happen. When they do, there are opportunities for restorers who are prepared. In the words of Seneca, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
 
One of the many key ingredients to being prepared to serve in a disaster scenario is resources. Resources include but are not limited to: inventory, equipment, human, and specialty.
 

Five things to consider to be sure your business is prepared for disaster response.

Source: Restoring Success: Preparing for CAT Loss Response