SERVPRO ANSWERS THE CALL!
When Disaster Strikes, SERVPRO® Strikes Back with Solutions!
Large Loss Response Team
If you have ever suffered a disaster, you know the effects an event of this magnitude can have on not only the structure, but the lives of those involved. SERVPRO franchise professionals understand the trauma of disaster and the importance of timely mitigation. Each situation is different; however, the results are the same. Daily business is interrupted, employee downtime, temporary moves, and loss of inventory. And you thought we only handled the little jobs! Whether fire, wind, or water damage,
SERVPRO is prepared for all situations. No job is too large or too small for our team of trained professionals.
With SERVPRO, you have access to a qualified network of over 1,300 franchises.
Disasters involving fire and water can damage millions of dollars of property. Be prepared with your personal Disaster Recovery Profile. The information contained in a Disaster Recovery Profile is intended for use by emergency service personnel. In this valuable resource, you will find information crucial to the components and functions of getting your business back in business fast!
LOS ALAMOS FIRESTORM RESPONSE
In early May (2000), in the forest of new Mexico, the National Park Service started what is know as a "Controlled Burn" to help eliminate excess fuel sources that had accumulated in the woods. As a large storm approached with winds gusting up to 50 to 60 mph, the fire raged out of control and quickly became something the residents of Los ALamos will never forget. The fire burned into the residential area in the foothills and totally destroyed hundreds of homes and left hundreds more with light to severe smoke damage.
Los Alamos is a rather remote mountain community, which happens to be the location of a national nuclear laboratory facility that was in the direct path of the runaway fire. One resident commented that he never dreamed the town might burn up. But, everyone there seemed to think Los Alamos would blow up!!!
SERVPRO was contacted by California Casualty, a specialty insurer for educational professionals throughout the U.S. They were seeking help for hundreds of policy holders that had experienced smoke damage from the forest fire. Fortunately, they had used SERVPRO on a limited basis during the El Nino' Storms in California with good results and were looking again for SERVPRO to step up to the plate. With the guidance of Randy Isaacson and Don Kurdy, two days of negotiations with Mike Lees from the National Accounts Division led to a contract with California Casualty that included a unit pricing agreement for structure and contents in addition to reimbursement of most expenses by responding offices.
Being (that Los Alamos is) a geographically and logistically challenged area, SERVPRO'S from within an 18 to 20 hour radius were called to see if they could assist with the restoration. This convergence begins yet another "Response Team." (All responing franchisees are mentioned here).
We would like to personally thank all the owners and especially the crew members that participated. Everyone involved was fantastic and the certificates of satisfaction praised the crews for how professional, polite and efficient the jobs were handed. Kudos to all, especially the folks that stayed at home to run the businesses while we were away. Hopefully this success story will lead SERVPRO's across the country to get their SMART team program in place so that when a disaster strikes they will be prepared to respond in an efficient, timely and organized manner.
by DON KURDY
