Water Damage Emergency Response Plan for Your Business
An emergency response plan is all about ensuring that your business remains safe during any flooding. This includes keeping your business in good shape, ensuring that people are safe, and making sure your assets are salvaged. Most businesses don’t have a plan in place, but you can do a few things to create an effective plan quickly.
Risk Assessment
Consider what kinds of water related problems your business might encounter. Understand your flood risks based on local history and resources. Examine recent flood events in your area and use FEMA flood maps to identify vulnerable locations.
Southern Minnesota is prone to flooding, tornadoes, or other types of severe weather events. Consider emergencies that might occur in your facility like a pipe break or sewage backups.
Emergency Contacts
You can get your pipes checked, but you can’t really plan for flooding or other events that might occur. It’s important to have emergency contact information on hand. Know who you will need to call when something happens. Keep our contact handy, so we can help you with water damage restoration. Knowing who you will need to contact will make it easier to get your business back in working order.
Responsibilities
In an emergency, people have a tendency to panic and look for help. Have your crisis management team already assigned, make sure they know what types of questions they might encounter, and give them any information they may need. You can assign roles such as scene supervisors or route guides in the case of evacuation, but just make sure you have someone who is prepared to lead if your business experiences a water damage emergency.
Communication
Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alert systems for emergency information.
Create clear communications plans to allow your business to run as smoothly as possible until you’re able to get everything cleaned up. Develop separate plans for employees, stakeholders, and the public. Ensure timely alerts, evacuation instructions, and updates are sent to the people who need to know.
Business Continuity
Plan for continued operations during and after floods or other water disasters. Backup data, establish remote work capabilities, and secure supply chains.
In the event of heavy water damage, your employees may not be able to come into the office. Instead of shutting your business down, be prepared to shift some employees to an online setting – just let your employees know this will happen.
Emergency Evacuation
Depending on the type of water event, you may need an emergency evacuation. Designate safe evacuation routes and assembly points. Train employees on evacuation procedures. Consider accessibility needs. This is when everyone will follow your plan and listen to those people you’ve put in charge.
Emergency Plan Review and Testing
Regularly review and update the plan. Conduct drills and exercises to ensure effectiveness. Remember, preparation is key to minimizing flood impact.
Cleaning Up After the Disaster
Don’t only plan for flooding or other potential water damage as it happens, but create a plan for after,
After all, cleaning up after a flooding situation can be hazardous, especially with so much water, electricity, and debris everywhere. Contact us to help you with commercial water damage cleanup and restoration of your facilities and contents to get your business up and running again.
Premiere Restoration is headquartered in Mankato, Minnesota. We provide Emergency Disaster Response Planning to businesses and industries in Southern Minnesota, including Mankato, Faribault, Lake Crystal, New Ulm, North Mankato, Owatonna, Saint Peter, and Waseca.
With the help of restoration professionals like us, you will be much better prepared for water, fire, sewage, and storm damage disasters.