Why a disaster safety plan is essential for your property - by Ron Fanish

Property managers face a multitude of tough tasks, from tenant retention to building maintenance and beyond. Perhaps the most difficult role, however, is responding to natural disasters.

Fires, floods, hurricanes, and other catastrophes can severely damage properties and, more importantly, harm the people within them. Responding to a disaster is never easy, but property managers can make the process less painful and more efficient by proactively putting a disaster safety plan in place. This plan outlines precise actions and contacts for property managers in the event of a catastrophe.

With a safety plan in place, there is no need for last-minute scrambling or planning when a disaster strikes. Execution becomes the sole focus. Here are four reasons why a disaster safety plan is indispensable for your property:

It increases safety. The most important issue during any disaster at a property is the safety of the people in and around it. A disaster safety plan can ensure tenant safety in a number of ways. First, it can ensure your property is up to code and features all the necessary safety devices, from CO2 detectors to fire extinguishers to sprinklers. Second, it can ensure tenants are well educated about what to do in the event of a disaster. They should know where the fire extinguishers are, where the exits are, what the evacuation plan is, and who to alert. Semi-regular drills, and anointing certain tenants as safety marshals, is key.

It helps you return to normal more quickly. A property manager should never wait until after a disaster to reach out to a restoration professional. Property managers should proactively meet with these professionals and make them an integral part of the disaster safety plan. Restoration professionals will map out your property in detail using 3-D imaging technology. Then, if something does go wrong, you can simply make a phone call or press a button on an app to dispatch a crew that is deeply informed about your property. These restoration professionals will help minimize business downtime and disruption, keep repair costs down, and accelerate insurance claim settlements.

It minimizes damage. An effective disaster safety plan outlines what steps to take to reduce loss in the event of a disaster. For example, knowing where and how to shut off utilities like gas, electricity, and water. While disasters will always do some level of damage, these steps can significantly minimize how much.

It expedites insurance claims. A comprehensive disaster safety plan familiarizes property managers with their insurance details before disaster strikes — meaning you don’t have to do research after the fact. Your plan should give you clarity into your coverage: what’s covered, what’s not covered, what the premium is, and so forth. Your plan should also include details about what you need to document for the insurance company, allowing you to get to work right away after a fire or flood.

Disasters can never be fully prevented or predicted. But a disaster safety plan is essential for minimizing damage to your property in the case of a fire, flood, or other catastrophe. All property owners should prioritize having a comprehensive disaster safety plan in place.

Ron Fanish is co-owner of Rainbow Restoration of Westchester, Yonkers, N.Y.