Two Step Approach to Disaster Readiness

North Charleston, SC (Grassroots Newswire) August 22, 2013 - There is no predicting when or where a disaster may strike, leaving property destruction and damage in its wake. But National Preparedness Month, sponsored each year in September by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), focuses the nation’s attention on the steps home and business owners can and should take to be ready to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

“SERVPRO^® professionals know a lot about disaster cleanup,” said Brandon Ferm, Owner of SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston. “And one of the most important things we know is that it’s better to take steps to prevent or minimize damage from an unexpected weather event or other disaster than it is to try to clean up after it. That’s why we emphasize the importance of readiness to our clients through SERVPRO’s ‘Emergency READY Program.’ Being ‘READY’ can make the difference between moving back into your home or losing it – or staying in business or closing the doors forever.”

As a National Sponsor of the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program^TM and the originator of SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, SERVPRO^® is uniquely positioned to offer North Charleston area home and business owners guidance on a robust, two-step approach to disaster planning and recovery, encompassing both readiness and recovery planning, according to Ferm.

Step 1: Readiness Planning

Knowledge is power, and the American Red Cross Ready Rating™ program is designed to help home and business owners assess their level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies in advance.  This free, web-based program, available at readyrating.org, walks responsible parties at businesses, organizations and schools through a 123-point self-assessment of their establishment’s level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies, and then offers tips and best practices to help improve their readiness.

Step 2: Recovery Planning

Through SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, local schools, businesses and other establishments can arrange for a SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston disaster recovery professional to establish an Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) for their facility, at no charge. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about the business, including emergency contact information, shut-off valve locations and priority areas. In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by ensuring there is an immediate plan of action already in place for the facility. If disaster strikes and damages the business, the ERP can save the property owner both time and money during the recovery period. Smartphone app and web versions of the Emergency READY Program are also available.

“This two-step approach to disaster readiness makes perfect sense,” said Rick Isaacson, Executive Vice President of SERVPRO Industries, Inc., “because it provides a complete readiness solution for businesses and other property owners. In Step One, The Red Cross Ready Rating Program gives individuals the knowledge they need to take all necessary steps before disaster strikes to protect their property from damage and loss. Step Two kicks in when disaster does strike and fast response is key to minimizing damage and downtime. Knowing what to do and who to call saves critical time – and that’s where SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program can help. Together, these two programs offer maximum peace of mind to businesses and other organizations.”

SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. North Charleston area residents are encouraged to contact BrandonFerm of SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston at (843) 747-8750 or beready@servproofgnc.com or visit www.servpronortherncharleston.com for information on readiness resources including SERVPRO’s free READY Plan Mobile Application, available on all smartphones.

For more information on the Red Cross Ready Rating program, please visit http://readyrating.org/.